Russia has ripped up a landmark treaty limiting the amount of conventional forces Moscow and NATO can place in Europe as tensions soar to a point not seen since the Cold War.
After announcing to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) earlier this year, Russia formally withdrew from the pact last night.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the treaty was “history” and that it no longer served Moscow’s interest. It also accused NATO of circumventing the restrictions by expanding the US-led alliance.
The move comes amid tensions not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis nearly plunged the US and then-Soviet Union into nuclear war in 1962.
NATO responded to the move with a statement confirming it too would suspend the treaty for “as long as necessary” following Russia’s decision.
The statement read in part: “Russia continues to demonstrate disregard for arms control, including key principles of reciprocity, transparency, compliance, verification, and host nation consent, and undermines the rules-based international order.”
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