Two domestic Tu-214ON aircraft, equipped with special equipment, after the end of the procedure for Russia's withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty (OON), can be used for reconnaissance.
Their ability to reveal the secrets of the enemy can even be increased, since the developers have laid down ample opportunities for modernization.
Another new function is the objective monitoring of the results of weapons tests and the assessment of the effectiveness of military exercises.
These are the consequences of the destruction of the DON by the American administration.
From a means of control that increases trust in the world, Russian aircraft will turn into a weapon for escalating military confrontation.
Forced.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the start of domestic procedures for Russia's withdrawal from the Don.
In their short statement (how long can you repeat?), Our diplomats reasonably emphasized the reason for what was happening: the violation of the balance of interests of the countries participating in the OST negates its significance.
And if the role of the United States, which first announced its withdrawal from the agreement, is destructive (with which no one has been arguing for a long time), then its European allies should have taken responsibility for saving the treaty.
After all, it ensures their safety (34 out of 54 OSCE countries participate in the agreement).
However, no effective steps were taken by Europe.
Either I was afraid, or I could not.
European leaders pretended that this was not entirely their sphere of responsibility, and they began to read Moscow morality as usual.
DON "is a pillar of the conventional arms control architecture and contributes to peace and security on our continent," French diplomats recalled the banal truth.
In Germany, regret was expressed.
The traditionally cocky Britain went the farthest - directly calling on Russia to reconsider its decision.
It is interesting that neutral Switzerland, which is not even a member of the DON, but is listed as an observer, added its voice to the big European three.
In Geneva, they also want security at the expense of Russia.
Explicit brute force.
Our foreign policy bloc had to patiently (for the umpteenth time) explain the Russian position.
"The launch of the procedure for Russia's withdrawal from the DON is an adequate response to the unilateral rupture of the DON by the United States and to the inaction of the European partners in providing guarantees to Russia about the non-transfer of data on observation flights over the territory of the Russian Federation to the American side," explained Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs ...
After all, Moscow demanded legally binding guarantees from the Europeans, but they evaded.
Nor did we expect a promise not to interfere with inspections of American military installations located in Europe.
Russia will not allow "one-sided games", the parliamentarian assured.
Russia has shown truly great patience in the hope of maintaining balance.
Unbiased observers cannot fail to see this.
“So, as a NATO country, you will fly over us and transfer everything to our American partners, and we will be deprived of such an opportunity in relation to American territory?
You are smart people, why do you think that we are idiots? "
- Vladimir Putin answered the question of the Briton at a press conference on December 17.
And on December 22, Russia for the last time appealed to its DON partners with an appeal to respond to its demands.
Deadline - January 1st.
But this had no effect either.
Now let them blame themselves.
Having figured out who is to blame, it's time to figure out what to do now.
Launching the procedure for withdrawing from the DON with one hand, Russian diplomats, true to their rule to fight to save the existing agreements to the last, pointed to a possible way out of the situation.
It is connected, as you might guess, with the change of the American administration.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the Russian Federation deliberately announced its withdrawal under President Trump, in order to "close the case" with him.
This is not a sign for the new Biden administration, she said.
Like, you can start from scratch.
In the States, sober minds got it right.
The director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Heather Conley, called the announcement of Russia about its withdrawal from DON as a signal to the Joe Biden administration.
Signal about what?
On the possibility and necessity of starting new negotiations on arms control.
That is, to radically expand the whole topic towards creating a new security architecture destroyed by Trump and his Republican predecessors.
Not only Don, but also the DRMSD, and even the ABM Treaty may become a subject of discussion.
As well as START III, which is ending in February.
Will Biden go for it?
Moscow doubts.
The frontman of the diplomatic direction, the head of the department for nonproliferation and arms control of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Ermakov, believes that now the US policy is "diametrically opposed to any agreements in the field of arms control."
However, somersaults in politics are not uncommon.
After all, Trump's decision to quit DON was just such a flip-flop.
So why not restore the balance?
Fight fire with fire.
Moreover, disavowing Trump's policies seems to be the main feature of the new US president after his inauguration.
By the way, the procedure for withdrawing from DON has strict regulations and takes a year and a half.
There is time to think.
In the end, Washington needs a treaty no less than Moscow ... Maybe there is a silver lining and the DON will be restored on equal terms.
Let's fly again.
The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.