Russian MFA Press and Information Department Comment on the Decision of a Number of NATO Countries Relating to the CFE Treaty

In the last few days, the US and several other NATO countries have announced their decision to suspend the provision to Russia of annual military information, and the performance of certain other obligations under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). They explain this move by the need to respond to Russia's CFE moratorium in force since 2007.

The motives behind such actions are understandable to us. We would like to remind everyone that Russia imposed its moratorium in response to NATO's enlargement and the resulting superiority in conventional arms in favor of the military alliance. In accordance with the moratorium the Russian side does not accept foreign inspections under the CFE Treaty, but also does not conduct them on the territory of the other member states. It neither provides military information nor lays claim to receiving it from our partners under the Treaty. This is the reality indicating that Russia and the other CFE Treaty participants are in the same position.

In the decision of the NATO countries there is nothing dramatic. The timing is not quite right though, as an active search is in progress for ways to revitalize conventional arms control in Europe. It is important to bear in mind that the CFE is not the only element in the system of exchange of military information and verification in the Euro-Atlantic space. Thus, the OSCE participating States, including Russia and the NATO states provide information on a reciprocal basis under the 1999 Vienna Document on Confidence and Security-Building Measures, the Global Exchange of Military Information, and Open Skies Treaty. We are convinced that these measures ensure the necessary and sufficient transparency.

The decision of the North Atlantic Alliance, without prejudice to the interests of Russia, demonstrates the need to step up efforts of all interested countries in determining the further fate of the conventional arms control regime in Europe.

November 23, 2011