MOSCOW:NATO and a European security body expressed alarm Wednesday after Russia walked out of a Cold War treaty setting limits on troops and weapons across the continent.

Moscow froze compliance with the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) on Tuesday, meaning that Russian troops can be redeployed anywhere without notifying NATO.

The Foreign Ministry offered reassurance that Russia had “no current plans to accumulate massive armaments on our neighbours’ borders.” Signed in 1990 and modified in 1999, the CFE places precise limits on the stationing of troops and heavy weapons from the Atlantic coast to the Ural mountains — a mammoth agreement that helped resolve the Cold War standoff.

Moscow’s step drew fire from the West, which is increasingly at loggerheads with President Vladimir Putin’s resurgent Russia.

“NATO allies deeply regret that the Russian Federation has proceeded with its intention to unilaterally ‘suspend’ implementation of CFE,” a statement from the alliance said.

NATO “at this stage” has no plans to retaliate and will continue to observe CFE rules, it added.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the continent’s top security watchdog, criticised Moscow for undermining “a cornerstone” of efforts to reduce tensions in Europe.

RUSSIA SHUTS DOWN BRITISH COUNCIL, BROWN REACTS: Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it would temporarily close regional offices of the British Council cultural organization, marking a further deterioration in bilateral relations.

Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown led a chorus of criticism of the move, saying the body was “fully entitled” to continue its work promoting the English language and wider British culture in Russia.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that the British Council had been informed that the work of the regional branches would be suspended.

A statement from the ministry cited “the absence of a legal basis regulating the activities of the British Council in the Russian Federation.” Brown rejected the Russian statement and called on the British Council to continue its work.