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Russia’s comments have been prompted by recent behavior by the United States, with the United States withdrawing from a major military deal, increasing pressure on Iran, and the United States saying last week that it would withdraw from the Open Skies Agreement.
“Washington’s actions are becoming increasingly dangerous and less predictable,” said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accusing Washington of undermining international security.
The spokeswoman, among other things, criticized the United States for withdrawing from the Mid-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia last year and for not committing to renew the New START arms control treaty, which expires in 2021.
Last Friday, NATO allies called on Russia to comply with the 1992 Open Skies Treaty, in the hope that Washington will change its mind and not withdraw from the treaty.
The head of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, indicated that the decision of EE. USA If the agreement is abandoned, it will not enter into force for another six months, so Moscow has time to change course.
“All NATO allies fully comply with all provisions of the treaty,” said Stoltenberg.
“Russia has for many years imposed flight restrictions, incompatibilities with the agreement, including flight restrictions over Kaliningrad and Russian territory near the Sarkatvel border.” “The United States has stated that Russia is not complying with the agreement and has announced its intention to withdraw within six months, as stipulated in the provisions of the agreement,” Stoltenberg said.
“However, the United States said it could reconsider the decision if Russia fully respects its commitments.” “NATO allies are working with Russia to ensure that Russia assumes its responsibilities as soon as possible,” added Stoltenberg.
The Open Skies Treaty was concluded immediately after the Cold War so that signatories could avoid unpleasant surprises or unfounded suspicions by the armies of other countries.
The agreement was signed in 1992 and entered into force in 2002, allowing 35 signatories, including the United States and Russia, to conduct unarmed reconnaissance flights over the territories of other countries.
Moscow and Washington often accuse each other of violating the terms of the treaty, and last year, United States President Donald Trump said the United States could withdraw entirely from the treaty.
Now, it seems, this threat may come true, despite the concerns of some of Washington’s allies in Europe, who see the treaty as an essential architectural element of their security on the continent.
Trump gun control negotiator Marshall Billingslea wrote on Twitter that there was a “very positive discussion” at the NATO meeting, demonstrating “transatlantic unity” on nuclear disarmament.
United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper accused Russia of violating the Open Skies Treaty in March this year.
Esper later told Congress that Russia had prevented the United States from operating flights over Kaliningrad to the Baltic Sea and near Sakartwell, although this must be allowed under the treaty, which was signed 18 years ago.
“We were also not allowed to fly over military exercises,” he said. “I am very concerned about this agreement in the current context.”
Esper later said he had raised the issue during a meeting with NATO defense ministers.
“It is important that many of our NATO allies have ways [tokiems] flights, “he said. Such Pentagon operations are carried out by two old OC-135 aircraft.
Esper recognized the need to modernize these planes, even if the Pentagon had not set aside funds for it.
“Right now, until we make a final decision on the way forward, I am not ready to provide more funding for the planes,” he said.
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