The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced today 15 January the beginning of domestic procedures for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Treaty on Open Skies.
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In a statement published today on the website of the Russian Ministry of Defence today, a declaration was made announcing Russia's decision to pull of of the treaty.
According to this statement, the reason behind Russia's decision to withdraw from the treaty is the failure of the Americans to support proposals made by the Russian side.
The text of the official statement
On November 22, 2020, the United States of America withdrew from the Treaty on Open Skies under an artificial pretext. This essentially destroyed the balance of interests of the State-Parties reached when the Treaty was signed, inflicted severe damage to its functioning, and undermined the role of the Open Skies Treaty as a confidence and security-building measure.
The Russian side put forward specific proposals consistent with the fundamental provisions of the Treaty aimed at preserving its viability under the new circumstances. We state with regret that they found no support on the part of the US allies.
Due to the lack of progress in eliminating the hindrances for further functioning of the Treaty under the new circumstances, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to declare the beginning of domestic procedures for the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Treaty on Open Skies. Upon their completion, the respective notification will be sent to the Depositaries.
