NATO urges Russia to reconsider withdrawal from arms reduction treaty in Europe

NATO members condemn Russia's decision to withdraw from the landmark Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), considered a cornerstone of European security architecture.

This is mentioned in the official statement on the NATO website. This treaty imposes legally binding and verifiable limits on key categories of conventional military technology of the member states.

The NATO statement emphasises that Russia has for many years not complied with its treaty obligations and unilaterally suspended its implementation without legal grounds in 2007.

"Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and Belarus' complicity contradicts the aims of the Treaty. Russia's decision to withdraw from the Treaty is the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermine Euro-Atlantic security," stressed NATO members.

With its decision, Russia "further demonstrates its persistent disregard" for arms control.

"We have repeatedly called on Russia to comply with the Treaty. Russia has not engaged constructively and has not taken steps towards full compliance. Alliance members call on Russia to fulfil its obligations and use the remaining time before its withdrawal to reconsider its decision," the statement reads.

The Alliance emphasised that they remain united in their commitment to effective control over conventional weapons as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security, taking into account the prevailing security environment and the security of all Alliance members.

On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed the member states of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe of its withdrawal from it, following the adoption of a relevant law, starting from November 7, 2023.

Remember, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed on November 19, 1990 in Paris by 16 NATO countries (Belgium, UK, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, USA, Turkey, and France) and six countries of the Warsaw Pact (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, USSR, and Czechoslovakia). It came into force on November 9, 1992.

The treaty established clear quotas for the number of military equipment that signatory countries could have, including tanks, artillery, helicopters, and aircraft.

Russia's participation in the treaty was suspended in July 2007 by decree of President Vladimir Putin, and a corresponding law was passed on November 29, 2007.

In turn, NATO will continue consultations on the implications of Russia's withdrawal from the CFE and its impact on Alliance security."