UK pulls out of European armed forces treaty to work on new measures

Russia blamed the US for undermining post-Cold War security with the enlargement of the Nato military alliance.

The UK, alongside its allies, has now also decided to suspend its participation in the treaty.

The 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), was signed a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall and placed verifiable limits on categories of conventional military equipment that Nato and the then-Warsaw Pact could deploy.

The treaty was designed to stop either side of the Cold War from gathering forces for a swift offensive against the other in Europe.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: "We unequivocally condemn Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty, the latest in a line of Russian efforts to undermine strategic stability and the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

"Russia’s unilateral withdrawal undermines reciprocity, which lies at the heart of the CFE Treaty.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Israel-Hamas latest: War fears surge as Iran issues chilling 'you will not be spared' warning to US
• ‘Sweden will make NATO stronger – time has come!’ Jens Stoltenberg calls for speedy action of Turkey to sign deal
• Brussels mocked over European army plan as pictures show 'more flags than soldiers'

"This is a destabilising move for the integrity of the Treaty and to continue to implement the Treaty would suggest that we think that the Treaty continues to operate as intended. This is plainly not the case.

The statement added: "In response to Russia’s move, the UK, alongside its Allies has decided to suspend its participation in the Treaty."

Russia suspended participation in the treaty in 2007 and stopped active participation in 2015.

Following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin signed an order denouncing the pact in May.

Russia's foreign ministry said: "The CFE Treaty was concluded at the end of the Cold War, when the formation of a new architecture of global and European security based on cooperation seemed possible, and appropriate attempts were made."

After Russia announced its intention to leave the treaty this year, Nato criticised the decision, saying it undermined Euro-Atlantic security.

In June, Nato said: "Russia has for many years not complied with its CFE obligations. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and Belarus' complicity, is contrary to the objectives of the CFE Treaty."