News

US says goodbye to Open Skies accord with Russia

May 28, 2021 09:32 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

US President Joe Biden's administration announced Friday it has decided not to return to the Open Skies Treaty, which Donald Trump left, saying Russia has violated the accord.

The post-Cold War treaty was meant to build trust by allowing the two powers and their allies to monitor one another's airspace.

Trump left the accord in November citing Russian violations of it.

"The United States regrets that the Treaty on Open Skies has been undermined by Russia’s violations," a State Department spokesman said.

"In concluding its review of the treaty, the United States therefore does not intend to seek to rejoin it, given Russia’s failure to take any actions to return to compliance," the spokesperson said.

"Further, Russia's behavior, including its recent actions with respect to Ukraine, is not that of a partner committed to confidence-building."

Moscow announced in mid-January it would leave the treaty, saying there was no progress in making it work in light of the US withdrawal.

Russian lawmakers on May 19 voted to uphold Moscow's exit from the accord. But the government of President Vladmir Putin said it was prepared to honor the accord if the Americans proposed a "constructive solution."

Open Skies was signed soon after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992 and came into force in 2002. 

The treaty allowed its nearly three dozen signatories to carry out short-notice flights over one another's territory to monitor potential military operations.

Members include countries across Europe, the former Soviet Union and Canada.

 

 



Most Read

  1. Public Holiday announced in Lahore tomorrow Public Holiday announced in Lahore tomorrow
  2. Police claim girl seen in sub-inspector’s video was his second wife Police claim girl seen in sub-inspector’s video was his second wife
  3. Nazish Jahangir to hit any marriage proposal from Babar Azam out of the ground Nazish Jahangir to hit any marriage proposal from Babar Azam out of the ground
  4. Complete results: PML-N sweeps by-elections as PTI-SIC remains empty-handed in Punjab Complete results: PML-N sweeps by-elections as PTI-SIC remains empty-handed in Punjab
  5. Iranian First Lady visits Numl Iranian First Lady visits Numl
  6. Man shoots friend dead in DHA Karachi over personal grudge Man shoots friend dead in DHA Karachi over personal grudge

Opinion

  1. Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy
    Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy

    By Salim Bokhari

  2. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  3. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  4. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  5. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  6. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay