White House disappointed by Russian arms treaty move

Washington - The White House expressed disappointment Saturday at Russia's decision to suspend the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). The US government would press ahead with talks with Russia in the coming months in spite of its disappointment, according to a statement by US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe published in Washington.

The talks were needed in order to find the best way to proceed in the area of missile defence in the interests of all sides and to guarantee Europe's security, Johndroe's statement said.

The CFE, signed in 1991 and updated in 1999, regulates the number of armed forces and combat vehicles, aircraft or tanks between NATO and the former Warsaw Pact states by a system of mutual information and inspection.

Moscow's step comes amid the ongoing dispute with Washington over US plans to establish missile defence facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic.