Frozen Obligations: Russia’s Suspension of the CFE Treaty as the Potential Violation of International Law

Abstract

As the world witnesses renewed displays of Russian military aggression, the importance of multilateral arms treaties is illuminated. This Note argues that Russia’s suspension of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was likely an illegal act, violating both the explicit terms of that treaty and the law governing international treaties, generally. The United Nations, NATO, and other world leaders must act carefully to redress this wrong without pushing Russia into a full withdrawal from this significant treaty. This Note highlights the variety of dispute resolution mechanisms available and concludes that formal public scrutiny and condemnation of Russia’s suspension are crucial to ensure that illegal treaty suspension does not become a reasonable option for Russia or any other international actors in the future.