Russian President Vladimir Putin signed July 14 a decree suspending Russia's participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), citing extraordinary circumstances that affected the country's security and required immediate measures.
"The OSCE considers this Treaty to be a cornerstone of European security and stability and therefore its suspension by one of its main parties is a matter of high concern. I urge all the states parties to renew their efforts to examine the underlying difficulties swiftly and earnestly and work together to overcome them," Miguel Angel Moratinos said.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about the emergence of new NATO bases close to its borders and the bloc's reluctance to ratify an updated CFE Treaty, which has regulated the deployment of troops and weapons on the continent since the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.
