UKRAINE: MFA Statement on Russian CFE Treaty Suspension

UNCLAS KYIV 002794 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR PM, EUR/UMB AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL KCFE OSCE NATO RS UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE: MFA Statement on Russian CFE Treaty Suspension REF: A. KYIV 2673 ¶B. KYIV 2185 ¶C. KYIV 1761 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET. ¶1. (SBU) The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, on November 8, issued a statement expressing its alarm over the Russian Duma decision to suspend the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty's provisions. The strong statement continues the Ukrainian MFA's concern and engagement over the issue (reftels). We provide our informal translation of the statement, taken from the MFA website, below. ¶2. (U) Begin statement. Ukraine is alarmed by the decision of Russia to suspend CFE Treaty The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is alarmed by the actions of Russia related to fulfillment of obligations stipulated by the CFE Treaty. Ukraine's MFA is sure that the Russian State Duma's adoption of the law "On Suspension of the Application of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty by the Russian Federation" (on November 7) will result in considerable loss of control over the Conventional Forces in Europe. "Ukraine, as one of four countries which ratified the Agreement on application of the Treaty, believes that this step puts the future of a crucial mechanism of European security in jeopardy and can breed mistrust in Europe again. Ukraine is particularly alarmed by the fact that the suspension of the CFE Treaty's application can lead to an increase in conventional armed forces directly at its borders," reads the statement. The MFA stresses the crucial role of the CFE Treaty as one of the essential pillars of European security and urges all parties to continue talks aimed at unblocking enforcement of the Agreement on Adaptation of the CFE Treaty. End statement. Taylor