US pulling out of Open Skies treaty, as Donald Trump blames Russia
- President says Moscow ‘didn’t adhere’ to terms of 35-nation pact, which allows unarmed surveillance flights over member countries
- US officials accuse Russia of using overflights of American and European territory to identify critical US infrastructure for potential attack in time of war
The United States announced its intention on Thursday to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries, the Trump administration’s latest move to pull the United States from a major global treaty.
The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact’s terms. Senior officials said the pull-out will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty’s withdrawal terms.
“I think we have a very good relationship with Russia. But Russia didn’t adhere to the treaty. So until they adhere we will pull out,” US President Donald Trump told reporters.
He said there was a “very good chance we’ll make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together”.
Nothing prevents continuing the discussions over the technical issues which the US is misrepresenting as violations by Russia
Washington’s departure from the Open Skies arms control treaty would be a blow to European security, a Russian deputy foreign minister said.