Russia Suspends Treaty Involvement
Conflicts with Western Countries Ends CFE Treaty Participation
Russia announced on July 14, 2007, its suspension of participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty. The treaty, originally signed in 1990, limits the deployment of military forces such as tanks, heavy artillery, and fighter jets in Europe and western Russia (all areas west of the Ural Mountains). Moscow says it is not planning a military surge along its European borders.
New CFE Treaty Version
Russia has attempted to get an updated version of the treaty ratified for many years, but the United States and NATO refuse to ratify it until Russia withdraws its troops from the former Soviet Republics of Georgia and Moldova.
Did Russia Withdrawal or Suspend Treaty Participation?
The suspension will occur in 150 days, in accordance with guidelines in the treaty. Technically, the treaty only allows for withdrawal, not suspension of activity, but the delay allows for possible re-negotiation of the treaty.
Russia's Reasoning for Treaty Suspension
Many people feel the main reason for this action is Moscow's displeasure with the United States' recent plan to deploy missiles and a missile defense radar system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Russia's President Vladimir Putin stated the need to suspend participation is due to "exceptional circumstances" affecting Russian security. Russia has provided six reasons for the treaty suspension, none having to do with the recent U.S. announcement:
- The failure of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to make the necessary changes in the composition of group of states party to the Treaty on the accession of these countries to NATO
- The excessive parties to the CFE Treaty that belong to NATO, and the exclusive group that formed among CFE Treaty members as a result of the widening of the alliance
- The negative impact of the planned deployment of America's conventional forces in Bulgaria and Romania because of this exclusive group mentality
- The failure of a number of parties of the CFE Treaty to comply with the political obligations contained in the Istanbul Agreements relating to the early ratification of the Adapted Treaty
- The failure of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to comply with commitments accepted in Istanbul to adjust their territorial ceilings
- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s failure to participate in the CFE Treaty has adverse effects on Russia’s ability to implement its political commitments to military containment in the northwestern part of the Russian Federation. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s actions result in a territory in which there are no restrictions on the deployment of conventional forces, including other countries’ forces.
References
Information on the decree "On Suspending the Russian Federation’s Participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and Related International Agreements.” July 14, 2007.
