First statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Russia's decision to withdraw from the CFE Treaty

In a statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted: “We receive the Russian Federation's decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) with regret. A growing erosion has been observed in the European security architecture, of which the CFE has been one of the cornerstones, particularly since 2007. 

Since the date the Russian Federation's decision to withdraw from the CFE entered into force on November 7, 2023, the meaningful implementation of the Treaty by other states parties has unfortunately become practically impossible,” the statement said.

"HAS BEEN COMPELLED TO SUSPEND"

The statement continued: “Under these circumstances, our country, together with other NATO Allied states parties to the CFE, has been compelled to suspend the implementation of the Treaty for a period as deemed necessary.

This decision is essentially reversible. The need for the foundations and fundamental principles of the legally binding CFE, which provides balance, transparency, and predictability among military forces through its sub-regional system, including the flank regime, and numerical limitations, continues to exist.

Any update that may be needed in the European security architecture in the coming period can only be built upon these foundations. 

In this regard, we will continue our contacts on the matter with all relevant parties. In the extraordinary period we are going through, returning to the full implementation of arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation arrangements is of greater importance than ever for international security,” it was stated.