In European security developments, Poland moved to pause the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the 1990 pact between NATO members and the former Warsaw Pact states. The government signaled this suspension last November, citing rising tensions as Russian military build-ups and assertive policies threaten regional stability.
Parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and national defense reviewed the government bill intended to broaden the CFE framework. They recommended that the Sejm approve a law that suspends the treaty as written, without adding new provisions. MPs from KO, Polski 2050, PSL, and the Left united in favor of suspension, stressing concerns about the current security dynamics across Europe.
During the subsequent Sejm debate, some PiS members questioned why the proposal calls for suspension rather than full denunciation. Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski explained that Poland aimed to end the treaty, but there was no consensus among NATO allies to go so far at this moment.
When the bill went to a vote, the chamber passed it with broad support: 435 in favor, five against, and no abstentions. The measure follows the government’s decision in November to pursue suspension, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating formal steps would be taken in coordination with NATO partners to pause the treaty.
The move would mean Poland is not legally or practically bound to comply with the treaty’s provisions, including any limits on Polish armed forces, under the current suspension framework.
In a Foreign Ministry statement, the stance aligns with Poland’s broader security strategy given evolving threats in Europe. Poland has complied with CFE obligations since the treaty entered into force in 1992 and has historically viewed the agreement as a cornerstone of regional security architecture.
Poland’s position follows Russia’s long-standing departure from the treaty framework. Moscow suspended its participation in 2007, and the latest actions have further complicated efforts to sustain the CFE regime. In response, NATO member states agreed to suspend the treaty as a collective measure. The Polish Foreign Ministry later announced that formal procedures would be taken to suspend the CFE treaty comprehensively, reflecting all its provisions, and indefinitely.
The implications are clear: Poland will not be bound by the treaty’s strict limits on equipment and manpower while the suspension remains in effect. The government emphasized that this step is part of a broader effort to strengthen defense and deterrence within national and alliance frameworks, ensuring the country’s security remains robust in the face of evolving threats.
Looking ahead, the Foreign Ministry noted that additional steps under international law could be considered. These might include a fuller denunciation of the CFE treaty should security interests warrant such action, particularly if Russia also moves to withdraw from or denounce the agreement. The door remains open to further actions that would align with Poland’s defense priorities and alliance commitments.
Overall, this development marks a significant shift in European security dynamics. It reflects a response to recent strategic pressures and signals ongoing efforts to enhance deterrence and readiness across Poland and its NATO partners.
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