NewsPoland suspends participation in arms treaty following Russia's exit
Poland suspends participation in arms treaty following Russia's exit
2:59 PM EDT, March 29, 2024
Poland has paused its involvement in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, reacting to Russia's decision to abandon the treaty. "Countries need to make choices to safeguard their security, so I understand the stance of the Polish government," stated Gen. Ben Hodges, the former US Army commander in Europe, during a dialogue with Wirtualna Polska.
The National Security Bureau shared that President Andrzej Duda enacted a law that modifies Poland's commitment to the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe.
This action aligns with the stance of NATO members who proclaimed their intention to suspend the treaty's application, responding to Russia, which officially renounced the treaty in November 2023.
"Treaties are meaningful as long as they are abided by. Russia has shown it only follows treaties when compelled," Gen. Ben Hodges pointed out in his conversation with Wirtualna Polska. He added his understanding of Poland's measures for security reasons, although he noted his unfamiliarity with how other nations might react.
Russia's Departure from the CFE
The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, established in Paris in 1990 by members of NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries, became effective in 1992. Following the dissolution of the USSR and the Warsaw Pact, the treaty was adjusted to fit the new geopolitical landscape.
The treaty's goal was to reduce military capabilities for both sides. In 2007, Vladimir Putin declared a moratorium on Russia's treaty commitments and demanded that Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia be included, fearing NATO might station additional forces in these countries. Additionally, Russia sought after NATO members to decrease their armaments to balance the military capacity increased by the alliance's expansion.
In 2023, Russia fully exited the treaty, and on November 7, it officially ceased to be a treaty participant. Concurrently, NATO countries declared their intention to halt the application of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
