NATO member states suspend their participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.
This is outlined in a statement issued by the Alliance on Tuesday, November 7.
This decision was made after Russia announced its final withdrawal from the Treaty.
All NATO members supported the suspension, condemning Moscow’s move.
The statement emphasizes that Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) is “the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermine Euro-Atlantic security.”
It is noted that Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for arms control and undermines the rules-based international order.
“While recognizing the role of the CFE as a cornerstone of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, a situation whereby Allied States Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable. Therefore, as a consequence, Allied States Parties intend to suspend the operation of the CFE Treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law,” the statement reads.
The statement also emphasizes that the Allies remain united in their commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security.
On November 7, 2023, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Russia’s final withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
The Alliance states that at midnight Moscow time (23:00 Kyiv time on November 6), Russia officially withdrew from the CFE Treaty and that the Treaty is now “history.”
It is worth noting that Russia’s participation in the Treaty was suspended in July 2007 by a decree of the aggressor country’s president, and on November 29, 2007, a corresponding law was passed there.
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed in November 1990 by 16 NATO countries and 6 Warsaw Pact states. It entered into force on November 9, 1992. The Treaty set limits on the number of conventional weapons and military equipment (tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, combat aircraft, and helicopters) for the participating countries.