NATO, US slam Russia for withdrawing from conventional arms treaty
(VOVWORLD) - The US and Western allies on Tuesday criticized Russia for withdrawing from a major treaty limiting the deployment of military armor across Europe and accused Moscow of undermining security on the continent.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan (Photo: AFP/ VNA) |
Russia on Tuesday formally withdrew from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) 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.
The decision prompted the US and NATO to immediately suspend the CFE treaty.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Russia’s withdrawal from the treaty compelled the US to respond, given that Russia has the largest armed forces in Europe.
In a statement, NATO blasted Russia’s withdrawal as “the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermines Euro-Atlantic security.” NATO said its members remain committed “to reducing military risk, and preventing misperceptions and conflicts”.