In a move that underscores escalating tensions in Eastern Europe, Russia has officially withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), according to the Federal Law published on the Russian government's official legal information portal this Monday.
The CFE Treaty, a cornerstone of post-Cold War security initially signed by all NATO and Warsaw Pact member states in 1990, set restrictions on the quantity of conventional military hardware that its signatories could possess.
This strategic step away from the treaty was initiated by President Putin, who ordered the denouncement of the agreement on May 10, 2023. The Russian State Duma subsequently endorsed this decision, voting to denounce the treaty on May 16. Echoing this stance, the Federation Council ratified the same on May 24.
While Russia had previously distanced itself from the CFE Treaty, suspending its participation in July 2007 and entirely halting its involvement in 2015, this latest formal withdrawal signifies a more pronounced shift in Russia's military and foreign policy.
This comes against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the escalating support Ukraine is receiving from NATO members and other Western nations.
NATO allies have pledged to bolster Ukraine's war effort against the Russian aggression. The United States has emerged as the most significant contributor of military aid, followed by the United Kingdom and the European Union.
In addition to sending tanks, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany are also reinforcing their support by allowing other Western nations to deploy German-manufactured tanks from their respective fleets.
Furthermore, the United States, in partnership with other NATO allies, has committed to the provision of advanced fighter jets to Ukraine. They are also backing initiatives to train Ukrainian pilots to operate these high-tech aircraft, reflecting a deepening involvement in the conflict.
