U.S. Slams Russia For Withdrawing From Conventional Arms Treaty

Washington D.C./08.11.23/Turan:    The United States on Tuesday criticized Russia for withdrawing from a major treaty limiting the deployment of military armor across Europe and accused the Kremlin of undermining security on the continent, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Russia made clear it had no intention of changing course. As such, we concluded that we should not continue to be bound by a treaty to which Russia is not bound," the State Department said in a statement, following Moscow's decision to formally leave the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe treaty, which was signed in 1990 during the breakup of the Soviet Union to set equal limits on tanks, artillery and aircraft that could be deployed in Europe.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan also said the Kremlin's withdrawal from the treaty “further demonstrates Moscow’s continued disregard for arms control” and the U.S. was compelled to respond, given Russia has the largest armed forces in Europe.

“The combination of Russia’s withdrawal from the CFE Treaty and its continuing full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally altered circumstances that were essential to the CFE States Parties’ consent to be bound by the treaty, and radically transformed the obligations under the treaty,” Sullivan said in a statement.

In the meantime, the State Department made it clear that the U.S. and NATO Allies remain committed to effective conventional arms control as a critical element of Euro-Atlantic security:  "We will continue to pursue measures with responsible partners that aim to bolster stability and security in Europe by reducing risk, preventing misperceptions, avoiding conflicts, and building trust."

Alex Raufoglu