In a recent commentary, Lithuanian politician Linas Linkevičius emphasizes that Russia's demands for security guarantees cannot be taken seriously while it is under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. He references the original CFE treaty signed in 1990, which aimed to limit conventional military forces of NATO and Warsaw Pact countries, highlighting the necessity of both sides' trust in disarmament negotiations. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it became imperative to adapt this treaty for contemporary security needs, proposing what were referred to as Istanbul security guarantees to facilitate the agreement's ratification by Western nations.

Linkevičius points out that Russia has historically maneuvered to escape binding legal obligations, particularly in relation to withdrawing its military presence from Moldova and Georgia. The lack of legally binding commitments in their security declarations has led to a perception that these obligations are merely politically motivated and not enforceable. He stresses that even these politically-driven commitments, while not legally binding, hold significant importance for international security, especially in regard to arms control efforts.

Furthermore, he underscores that trust and reciprocity are fundamental to effective arms control. Many confidence-building measures throughout Europe hinge upon the transparent and honest fulfillment of these commitments. The current geopolitical environment necessitates a re-evaluation of these agreements to ensure that international security frameworks are adhered to more strictly, which is critical in fostering stability and preventing conflict in the region.