The chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Political Affairs and Security for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has raised concerns about Russian military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine and its "complete suspension" of work under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
The chairman, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, said in a statement on March 13 that he was "disappointed in Russia’s decision to turn its back on its international obligations" under the CFE treaty.
Wicker rejected Russia’s argument that its withdrawal from the treaty was forced by NATO actions.
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin's "aggression against Ukraine, including the movement of Russian military hardware and troops, clearly demonstrates" that he intends "to spark an arms race that could threaten security and stability in Europe."