U.S. curbs cooperation with Russia on CFE

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has curbed its cooperation Victoria Nuland said on Tuesday, November 22.

The restriction means that the United States will no longer exchange information on conventional weapons and troops with Russia four years after Russia stopped implementing the treaty in 2007.

“Today the United States announced in Vienna, Austria, that it would cease carrying out certain obligations under the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty with regard to Russia,” Nuland said in a statement.

“This announcement in the CFE Treaty's implementation group comes after the United States and NATO Allies have tried over the past 4 years to find a diplomatic solution following Russia’s decision in 2007 to cease implementation with respect to all other 29 CFE States,” she said.

“Since then, Russia has refused to accept inspections and ceased to provide information to other CFE Treaty parties on its military forces as required by the Treaty,” she said.

Nuland also said her country will continue implementing the treaty and carrying out all “obligations with all States Parties other than Russia, including not exceeding the numerical limits on conventional armaments and equipment established by the Treaty."

"We will resume full Treaty implementation regarding Russia if Russia resumes implementation of its Treaty obligations,” she said.

“The United States remains firmly committed to revitalizing conventional arms control in Europe. In order to increase transparency and consistent with our longstanding effort to promote stability and build confidence in Europe, the United States will voluntarily inform Russia of any significant change in our force posture in Europe,” she said, RIA Novosti reported.