BRUSSELS, November 7. /TASS/. The NATO allies plan to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) after Russia finalized its withdrawal last night at midnight (9:00 p.m. November 6 GMT - TASS), the bloc said in a statement.
"[The] allies condemn Russia's decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) <…>. Therefore, as a consequence, [the] 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. This is a decision fully supported by all NATO Allies," the North Atlantic Alliance said. The bloc also reiterated its continued commitment "to reduce military risk, and prevent misperceptions and conflicts."
The United Kingdom issued a separate statement saying it will suspend its participation in the CFE, while a US State Department official told The Wall Street Journal that inaction by the NATO allies in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal would send the wrong signal.
At 0:00 a.m. on November 7, 2023 [9:00 p.m. November 6 GMT], Russia finalized its withdrawal from the CFE Treaty, as it said it would "leave the door open to dialogue on reviving control over conventional weapons in Europe."
The CFE Treaty was signed in 1990 and amended in 1997. However, the NATO countries never ratified the amended version of the document and have continued to adhere to the outdated 1990 provisions, based on the conventional arms balance between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. As a result, Russia was compelled to declare a moratorium on implementing the terms of the treaty in 2007.
On May 29, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law denouncing the Treaty that came into force on June 9. Moscow has repeatedly warned that the blame for suspending it will fall upon the United States and its allies who have taken the path to confrontation.