On Tuesday, 7 November, NATO member countries announced that the Allies that are signatories to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) intend to suspend its application “for as long as necessary” in response to Russia’s decision to withdraw from the arms-control treaty.
By way of justification, the North Atlantic Council said in a statement, “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.”
It explained that the Allies reaffirm their continued commitment to reducing military risk as well as preventing misunderstandings and conflicts and that they invite States that share this commitment to join their efforts.
The Allies reaffirmed their determination to “remain united in their commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security”.
Furthermore, they will continue to consult on and assess the implications of the current security environment, its impact on the security of the Alliance, and the approach to be taken, according to the North Atlantic Council, adding that the Allies will use NATO for in-depth discussions and close consultations on arms-control initiatives. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)