US must pull out of CFE arms treaty -White House

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a briefing at the White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There was no way for the U.S. to stay in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, a key post-Cold War agreement, after Russia pulled out, White house national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

"I don't know how we can justify not pulling out" of the treaty after Russia did, Kirby said. He said the U.S. will meet all Article Five commitments to NATO allies, which could force changes.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Chris Reese)