Source– This post is based on the article “NATO announces formal suspension of Cold War-era security treaty after Russia’s pullout” published in “The Hindu” on 7th November 2023.
Why in the News?
NATO has formally announced the suspension of Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), a key Cold War-era security treaty in response to Russia’s pullout from the deal.
What is Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)?
| Aspect | Details |
| What is it? | The CFE treaty is an cold war era treaty that aimed to prevent massing of conventional armed forces by NATO and Warsaw Pact countries near mutual borders during the Cold War. |
| Signed on | It was signed in 1990 and fully ratified in 1992. |
| Significance | It placed limits on the deployment of conventional military forces in Europe and played a significant role in reducing tensions and arms build-up in the region. |
Why did Russia withdraw from the CFE Treaty?
1. Russia Ukraine conflict– Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to a significant military presence in Ukraine, influenced its decision to withdraw from the treaty.
2. Security Concern– Russia cited that preserving the CFE Treaty has become unacceptable from the standpoint of its fundamental security interests, citing developments in Ukraine and NATO’s recent expansion in the region (Finland joined in 2023).
3. Limited significance of CFE– Russia claimed it has a limited significance as it only restricts conventional arms and not advanced weapons.
What is NATO?
What is Warsaw Pact?
| Aspect | Details |
| What is it? | The Warsaw Pact, formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, was a collective defence treaty established by the Soviet Union and seven other Soviet satellite states in Central and Eastern Europe. |
| Signed on | 14 May, 1955 |
| Countries involved | The Soviet Union, Albania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and the German Democratic Republic. |
| Significance | The Soviet Union formed this alliance as a counterbalance to the NATO. |
What are other cold war era NATO and USSR treaties?
1. The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)
2. The Four Power Agreement on Berlin (1971)
3. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987)
4. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and START Treaties (First in 1972)
5. The Helsinki Accords (1975)
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