Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (James Cleverly)]

On 7 November, Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). The CFE is a cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture that sets limits on the amount of major military equipment, and aims to make a surprise attack on the European continent less likely.

The UK unequivocally condemns this step, which is the latest in a succession of Russian efforts to undermine strategic stability and the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. Russia’s decision further demonstrates its continued disregard for those arms control arrangements, based on key principles of reciprocity, transparency, compliance and verification, that have helped keep us safe since the end of the cold war.

Russia’s unilateral withdrawal undermines reciprocity, which lies at the heart of the CFE Treaty. To continue to implement the treaty would suggest that, despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and withdrawal from CFE, we think that the treaty continues to operate as intended. This is plainly not the case.

In response, the UK has decided to suspend its participation in the treaty and instead to work with likeminded nations to develop and implement voluntary stabilising measures.

Suspending participation while remaining a signatory is the best available option to preserve both the spirit and the content of the CFE treaty, while allowing us to resume implementation should future conditions allow.

The legal basis for suspension of the treaty is fundamental change of circumstances, as reflected in Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). This is a well-established basis for suspension of a treaty in both customary international law and the VCLT.

We have reached this decision after a long period of consultation with our Allies and other signatories to the treaty. We do so in the confidence that many Allies and likeminded nations have reached the same conclusion that Russia’s latest assault on the international rules-based order cannot go unanswered.

We remain united with our Allies in our commitment to effective conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-Atlantic security. The UK is committed to reducing military risk, preventing miscalculation, building trust and confidence, promoting transparency and verification, and thereby contributing to peace and security.

To this end, we have already begun discussions on voluntary stabilising measures to replicate as many elements of the CFE Treaty as possible, to be implemented when conditions allow.

[HCWS4]