After months of arguments with Western powers, Russia pulled out of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on Saturday.

The suspension comes in a time when relation between Kremlin and Washington are very strained, pressure mounting with each controversial decision like this one. Moscow said the decision was forced by “extraordinary circumstances,” referring to security issues that required “immediate measures.”

Kremlin added President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Russia’s membership in the CFE Treaty. The pact was adopted in 1990 and limits the number of conventional weapons in Europe, along with the destruction of excess armament.

Three months ago Russia threatened it will cast aside the treaty if NATO won’t revise it and widen the boundaries imposed by it. NATO said it would ratify the pact, but conditioned this action to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia and Moldova.

As expected, Russia failed to comply and as a consequence suspended the CFE treaty, rising the tensions. Neighbouring countries and not only, fear this action allows Moscow to supplement the number of troops on the northern and southern borders, along with increasing the weaponry production.

Reactions from the international community quickly appeared, the North Atlantic military alliance expressing its disappointment towards Russia’s decision.

”It's a disappointing move, a step backwards. NATO considers this treaty to be an important foundation of European security and stability,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said after receiving the news.