It emerged on the 12^th December 2007 that Russia has suspended itself from a pivotal military agreement forged during the time of the Cold War, although its act does not constitute a full withdrawal.

The Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty places limits on the number of troops and amount of weaponry allowed within Europe. Russia’s move means that, theoretically, it can position troops without having to inform NATO of its intentions.

Russia - as has been covered in multiple previous Armed Forces International News Items – is discontent with NATO’s development, and has vociferously condemned the US’ plans to base elements of its Missile Defence Shield in Europe. In its eyes, the treaty is an irrelevance.

CFE Treaty Puts Limits on NATO Armed Forces/ Military Equipment

The CFE is frequently viewed within the key military agreements to have been established post World War Two. It placed rigid limits on the number of military assets – combat aircraft, artillery, armoured vehicles and others – that could be fielded during deployments involving nations within NATO or the former-Warsaw Pact.

In the absence of the Warsaw Pact, the CFE treaty was modified. However, Russia has had long-term objections to NATO’s insistence that it withdraw troops from Moldova and Georgia – two countries formerly part of the Soviet Union – before the revised documents can be ratified.

Analysts have described Russia’s suspension as an interesting decision, given that, in the eyes of governments in the West, such a choice should not exist. The treaty should either be accepted or withdrawn from, they say.

It is understood that the suspension’s roots lie in much wider concerns, including Russia’s feelings on NATO’s expansion, the US Missile Defence Shield, and other situations where it feels its thoughts are not being taken into account.

Another driving factor is likely to be the imminent presidential and parliamentary elections, with the Putin government keen to promote a strong national image.

Source – Armed Forces International’s European Correspondent

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