Putin Pulls Out of Post-Cold War Arms Treaty

[mick silver]

At a time when European officials concerned about Russian aggression in Eastern Europe are openly calling for the creation of a Pan-European army, Moscow has announced it will cease all involvement in a major arms control treaty that was signed at the end of the Cold War.



The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was an agreement signed in 1990 between the 16 North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries and six Warsaw Pact countries. It set caps on the number of soldiers, tanks, artillery pieces and other non-nuclear military assets that could be stationed in Europe.
Related: Spooked by Putin, EU Brass Consider a European Army (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/09/Spooked-Putin-EU-Brass-Considers-European-Army)
State-run media reported that the decision to “withdraw completely” from the treaty was announced by Anton Mazur, head of the Russian delegation arms control talks in Vienna.
Russia’s withdrawal decision is very nearly a formality. Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2007 suspended Russia’s observation of the treaty after the other signatories would not agree to changes, in the form of an “adapted” treaty. Russia had felt those changes were necessary because of a realignment of global power away from Russia after the Cold War.
“For years, the Russian side has been doing its best to maintain viability of the regime of control over conventional arms, it initiated talks on adapting the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, it ratified the agreement on Adapted CFE Treaty,” Mazur said, according to the Kremlin-owned news service ITAR-TASS (http://tass.ru/en/russia/781973). “Regrettably, NATO countries have preferred to dodge CFE provisions by means of the alliance’s expansion and use any pretexts to prevent the Agreement on Adapted CFE Treaty from coming into effect. This course pursued despite our repeated warning about its harmful impacts on the regime of control over conventional weapons led to the unavoidable result — Russia’s suspending the CFE Treaty in 2007.”






Russia had continued to participate in “consultative” meetings with the signatories. However, Mazur said the Kremlin now sees further participation as “pointless from both political and practical points of view and as excessively costly from the financial and economic point of view.”
Related: Putin’s Dead Soldiers Are Evidence of His Deceit (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/06/Putin-s-Dead-Soldiers-Are-Evidence-His-Deceit)
Mazur added, “This step does not mean that Russia rejects further dialogue on control over conventional arms in Europe if and when our partners are ripe for that. We are still ready for joint work on a new regime of control over conventional arms in Europe, which is in the interests of both Russia and other European states.”
The announcement comes just days after European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called for creating a single army to represent the entire European Union, citing ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine as a primary reason.
“A common European army would convey a clear message to Russia that we are serious about defending our European values,” Juncker said.
Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:


Why Putin May Be the Lesser of All Russian Evils​​ (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/02/17/Why-Putin-May-Be-Lesser-All-Russian-Evils)
Democrats Discover the Hidden Power of a Minority (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/10/Democrats-Discover-Hidden-Power-Minority)
Drone War in Ukraine Forces Big Tech Changes (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/03/10/Drone-War-Ukraine-Forces-Big-Tech-Changes)

[mick silver]

Russia says has right to deploy nuclear weapons in Crimea: reportMOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has the right to deploy nuclear arms in the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine last year, a Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday, adding he knew of no plans to do so.
"I don't know if there are nuclear weapons there now. I don't know about any plans, but in principle Russia can do it," said Mikhail Ulyanov, the head of the ministry's department on arms control, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.
(This version of the story was refiled to fix garble in line seven)
(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin, Writing by Thomas Grove; Editing by Christian Lowe)


Politics & Government
nuclear arms
Russia

Click to view comments 
View Comments (125)

[gunDriller]

WOW !

I've been watching Gold all morning, waiting for it to break into the $1140's.

which it finally did, about 11:12 AM Eastern - right when I opened this thread.


Anyway, THANKS for the info about Putin & Russia.

[7th trump]

What have I been saying about russia all this time?
They will arm themselves once again.

Dont trust any thing Putin is doing to make himself look like a humanitary hero....hes not!
Hes no different than any neo conservative...hes on the neo side....good cop/ bad cop scenario.........but still a cop.
Hes of the lineage of caan....the false tribe.

Russia will attack from the north through Alaska.

[mick silver]

Exclusive: U.S. asks Vietnam to stop helping Russian bomber flightshttp://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/d/0c/d0c3eb8ca18907492a4b337b5cec5193.jpeg (http://www.reuters.com/) By David Brunnstrom 23 minutes ago




 (https://www.tumblr.com/share/photo?clickthru=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fexcl usive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780.html%3Fsoc_src%3Dmediacontentstory%26soc _trk%3Dtu&caption=By%20David%20Brunnstrom%20%20WASHINGTON%20 %28Reuters%29%20-%20The%20United%20States%20has%20asked%20Vietnam%2 0to%20stop%20letting%20Russia%20use%20a%20former%2 0U.S.%20base%20to%20refuel%20nuclear-capable%20bombers%20engaged%20in%20shows%20of%20st rength%20over%20the%20Asia-Pacific%20region%2C%20exposing%20strains%20in%20Wa shington%27s%20steadily%20warming%20relations%20wi th%20Hanoi.%20%20The%20request%2C%20described%20to %20Reuters%20by%20a%20State%20Department%20officia l%2C%20comes%20as%20U.S.%20officials%20say%20Russi an%20bombers%20have%20stepped%20up%20flights%20in% 20a%20region%20already%20rife%20with%20tensions%20 between%20China%2C%20U.S.-ally%20Japan%20and%20Southeast%20Asian%20nations.&source=http%3A%2F%2Fl3.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres%2 F1.2%2FcRdnzu0vaiDZnp7gzseE6A--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTYwMA--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FNews%2FR euters%2F2015-03-11T150243Z_1_LYNXMPEB2A0SD_RTROPTP_2_USA-VETERANS.JPG)
 (https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=90376669494&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2F_xhr%2F mediacontentsharebuttons%2Fpostshare%2F%3Fsrc%3Dfb&link=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fexclusive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780.html%3Fsoc_src%3Dmediacontentstory%26soc _trk%3Dfb&picture=http%3A%2F%2Fl3.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres% 2F1.2%2FcRdnzu0vaiDZnp7gzseE6A--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTYwMA--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FNews%2FR euters%2F2015-03-11T150243Z_1_LYNXMPEB2A0SD_RTROPTP_2_USA-VETERANS.JPG&name=Exclusive%3A+U.S.+asks+Vietnam+to+stop+helpin g+Russian+bomber+flights&description=By+David+Brunnstrom++WASHINGTON+%28Reu ters%29+-+The+United+States+has+asked+Vietnam+to+stop+letti ng+Russia+use+a+former+U.S.+base+to+refuel+nuclear-capable+bombers+engaged+in+shows+of+strength+over+ the+Asia-Pacific+region%2C+exposing+strains+in+Washington%2 7s+steadily+warming+relations+with+Hanoi.++The+req uest%2C+described+to+Reuters+by+a+State+Department +official%2C+comes+as+U.S.+officials+say+Russian+b ombers+have+stepped+up+flights+in+a+region+already +rife+with+tensions+between+China%2C+U.S.-ally+Japan+and+Southeast+Asian+nations.&display=popup&show_error=yes)
 (https://twitter.com/share?text=Exclusive%3A+U.S.+asks+Vietnam+to+stop+ helping+Russian+bomber+flights&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fexclusive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780.html%3Fsoc_src%3Dmediacontentstory%26soc _trk%3Dtw&via=YahooNews)
 (http://news.yahoo.com/_xhr/mtf_popup/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fexclusive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780.html%3Fsoc_src%3Dmediacontentstory%26soc _trk%3Dma&site=news&region=US&lang=en-US&content_id=5a7bd3fd-3daf-3a8d-9860-2c3e955f344e&alias_id=story%3Dexclusive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780)














Content preferences (https://settings.yahoo.com/interests)



Done


http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/75eoA5cdHWidpm1hBelOmg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2015-03-11T150243Z_1_LYNXMPEB2A0SD_RTROPTP_2_USA-VETERANS.JPG (http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-u-asks-vietnam-stop-helping-russian-bomber-145514780.html#) . View photo

Commanding General United States Army Pacific Command Vincent K. Brooks addresses the crowd during Veterans …





By David Brunnstrom



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has asked Vietnam to stop letting Russia use a former U.S. base to refuel nuclear-capable bombers engaged in shows of strength over the Asia-Pacific region, exposing strains in Washington's steadily warming relations with Hanoi.
The request, described to Reuters by a State Department official, comes as U.S. officials say Russian bombers have stepped up flights in a region already rife with tensions between China, U.S.-ally Japan and Southeast Asian nations.
General Vincent Brooks, commander of the U.S. Army in the Pacific, told Reuters the planes had conducted "provocative" flights, including around the U.S. Pacific Ocean territory of Guam, home to a major American air base.
It is the first time that U.S. officials have confirmed the role of Cam Ranh Bay, a natural deep-water harbor, in Russian bomber plane activity that has increased globally.
Brooks said the planes that circled Guam were refueled by Russian tankers flying from the strategic bay, which was transformed by the Americans during the Vietnam War into a massive air and naval base.
Vietnam's willingness to allow Russia to use Cam Ranh Bay reflects Hanoi's complex position in a geopolitical tug-of-war that frequently pits China and Russia on one side and the United States, Japan and much of Southeast Asia on the other.
Washington is keen to secure greater access itself to Cam Ranh Bay as part of its strategic "pivot" to Asia to counter China's growing strength in the region. U.S. ships have visited for repairs in recent years.
Vietnam, in turn, has sought closer U.S. ties as a hedge against what it sees as China's aggression, but remains close to Russia in both defense and energy cooperation.
Cam Ranh Bay is now host to three submarines bought by Vietnam's navy from Russia to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, with two more expected by early next year.
Brooks said in an interview the flights indicated that Vietnam's Cold War-era ally Russia was acting as "a spoiler to our interests and the interests of others."
RAISING TENSIONS
Asked about the Russian flights in the region, the State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Washington respected Hanoi's right to enter agreements with other countries.
But the official added: "We have urged Vietnamese officials to ensure that Russia is not able to use its access to Cam Ranh Bay to conduct activities that could raise tensions in the region."
The Vietnamese government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the U.S. request.
Brooks declined to say when the flights he referred to took place. He did not say how many had been conducted and how many aircraft were involved. But he confirmed they had occurred since Russia's annexation of Crimea last March, which sparked a broader conflict with Ukraine and a surge in tensions between Russia and the United States.
The head of U.S. air forces in the Pacific said last May that Russia's intervention in Ukraine had been accompanied by a significant increase in Russian air activity in the Asia-Pacific region in a show of strength and to gather intelligence.
Russia's Defense Ministry said on Jan. 4 that Russian Il-78 tanker aircraft had used Cam Ranh Bay in 2014, enabling the refueling of nuclear-capable TU-95 "Bear" strategic bombers, a statement also reported in Vietnam's state-controlled media.
In that time, Russia has conducted increasingly aggressive air and sea patrols close to the borders of the U.S.-led NATO alliance, including by Bear bombers over the English Channel.
Last year, NATO conducted more than 100 intercepts of Russian aircraft, about three times as many as in 2013.
RUSSIAN BOMBER FLIGHTS
Russian bomber patrol flights, a Cold War-era practice, were cut back after the fall of the Soviet Union but President Vladimir Putin revived them in 2007.
Russia said in November it planned to send long-range bombers on patrols over North American waters but the Pentagon played this down at the time as routine training in international airspace.
In its effort to boost ties with Vietnam, the United States has been pouring in aid and assistance in health, education, landmines clearance, scholarships and nuclear energy.
Defense cooperation had been limited by an embargo on lethal arms. But Washington started to ease this in October, enabling humanitarian exercises between both militaries late last year and more are taking place this month.
Last year saw a flurry of high-level U.S. visits to Vietnam that coincided with a maritime territorial row between Hanoi and Beijing. On Friday, the U.S ambassador in Vietnam announced that the Vietnamese Communist Party chief would later this year become the first party leader to visit Washington.
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius said on Friday it was understandable Hanoi would look to "historic partners" when it came to security, but the United States had "much to offer... to enhance Vietnam's security in the short, medium and long term."
(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Additional reporting by Martin Petty and Ho Binh Minh in Hanoi and Jason Szep in Washington; Editing by David Storey and Stuart Grudgings)


Politics & Government
Foreign Policy
Vietnam
Cam Ranh Bay
Russia


Click to view comments 
View Comments (7)

[expat4ever]

Russia will attack from the north through Alaska. Lets hope they make it to DC quickly. It would be great to be liberated and free once again.

[7th trump]

Lets hope they make it to DC quickly. It would be great to be liberated and free once again.

They dont get far before God Himself literally destroys the invasion in about 10 to15 minutes.
Russia's soviet might is completely wiped out with 100lb snow/ice balls that crush everything in its path. Not much will survive that onslaught...everything is laid waste.

The soviets are complete idiots to think they can take on God to engulf the world in communism. Communism is only gotten as far as it has because God is allowing it to happen, for a reason. Hes using the soviets as a tool to straighten up the world to follow Him.
The soviets are just useful idiot tools.

As for the communist in DC and other high mountains (mountains = governments in the Bible) in the world...they are surgically removed by angels when Christ returns. They are plucked from the sheep, along with the other wicked, and will eventually be thrown into the lake of fire for destruction.

[Dogman]

What have I been saying about russia all this time?
They will arm themselves once again.

Dont trust any thing Putin is doing to make himself look like a humanitary hero....hes not!
Hes no different than any neo conservative...hes on the neo side....good cop/ bad cop scenario.........but still a cop.
Hes of the lineage of caan....the false tribe.

Russia will attack from the north through Alaska.
Only with help, for Russia supply logistics it is a nightmare.

Trump sometimes I have to agree with you, unlike some here!

Give them hell! ;)

But for Russia to mass an invasion force to attack North America depending on one rail line and limited ground transport, even with air support, no way something like that could be kept quiet! A combo of China and Russia may have a better chance for a toehold, but by then I suspect nuke's would be used!

[madfranks]

Yikes! This does not bode well at all. The likelihood of war with Russia looms ever greater.

[Neuro]

They dont get far before God Himself literally destroys the invasion in about 10 to15 minutes.
Russia's soviet might is completely wiped out with 100lb snow/ice balls that crush everything in its path. Not much will survive that onslaught...everything is laid waste.

The soviets are complete idiots to think they can take on God to engulf the world in communism. Communism is only gotten as far as it has because God is allowing it to happen, for a reason. Hes using the soviets as a tool to straighten up the world to follow Him.
The soviets are just useful idiot tools.

As for the communist in DC and other high mountains (mountains = governments in the Bible) in the world...they are surgically removed by angels when Christ returns. They are plucked from the sheep, along with the other wicked, and will eventually be thrown into the lake of fire for destruction.
Interesting! Do you have a link for this information? Or is it your own prophecy?

[Dogman]

Yikes! This does not bode well at all. The likelihood of war with Russia looms ever greater.

Russia knows its better chance is to slam Europe and neutralize england someway!

If all the ports can be controlled America can not do crap other than an an air campaign.

Attacks to both the east or to the West into Europe would be suicide because I do believe nuke's will be used!

Only idiot's or they that believe that more of them would, could survive than the others would make any sense!

But in the larger picture of humans and history I would not lay any bets!

Now what China would do if given a chance and motivation would be to take over ALL of south east Asia with a major fight in Australia to save that country.

India ? Good question on what they and allies could do?

IMO!

[Horn]

Its probably more a response to allow China to eat Vietnam, U.S. paving that road.

[7th trump]

China has a lot of dissent within its borders......if a war broke out involving China I dont think the few communist rulers could control the dissent of millions.
Communism in China would be at risk to being cast off and replaced with a capital style government.
The Chineese dont want war...they are living a life better than they have ever seen.

The Chineese arent stupid and they know they out number the elite communist rulers.