NATO condemns Moscow's withdrawal from a key post-Cold War treaty

2023-11-07 23:28:01Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REUTERS
NATO condemns Moscow's withdrawal from a key post-Cold War treaty
NATO condemns Moscow's withdrawal from a key post-Cold War treaty

NATO on Tuesday condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, a key post-Cold War agreement. In response to this development, the alliance announced that it would suspend its obligations under the treaty.

Russia formally withdrew from the security treaty, which set limits on key categories of conventional weapons, blaming the United States for undermining security by expanding the NATO military alliance.

"Allies condemn Russia's decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) and its aggression against Ukraine, which is contrary to the objectives of the Treaty," a NATO statement said.

"Russia's decision is its latest action in the direction of systematically undermining Euro-Atlantic security," the statement continued.

"Consequently, allied countries intend to suspend the operation of the treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law. This is a decision fully supported by all NATO allies."

The United States said it would suspend obligations under the treaty starting December 7.

"Russia's war against Ukraine and its withdrawal from the treaty "fundamentally changes" the circumstances surrounding it (the treaty) and transforms the obligations of its participants," White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

Russia suspended participation in the treaty in 2007 and in 2015 announced its intention to withdraw from it completely.

Mr. Sullivan said that despite Moscow's continued disregard for arms control, the United States and its allies remain committed to effective conventional arms control.


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