The Russian Federation initially protested these limitations in a letter from President Yeltsin to President Clinton and other Western leaders in September 1993. These increases in the flanks would not, however, be in excess of Russian national entitlements. They further argued that the changed geostrategic situation invalidated the flank requirement and imposed upon the Russian Federation an unnecessary restriction on positioning forces on its own soil. The Russians have proposed various solutions to this impasse in the JCG during the intervening two years. The Turks have even suggested that they might withdraw from CFE if Russian demands are met.
Turkish opposition appears motivated more by political rather than military considerations.
The suggested increase in Russian military strength in the North Caucasus does not create a major military threat to Turkey, particularly since Turkey continues to enjoy the NATO collective defense guarantee and will have larger, more modern forces after the CFE reduction period than it enjoyed in November 1990. The position of the Russian Federation reflects problems of domestic as well as foreign policy. General Grachev publicly stated in April that Russia would not meet the flank limitations. The issue was further complicated by the NATO air campaign against the Bosnian Serbs. Russian reaction to these attacks has been vitriolic.