The United States intends to withdraw from the "Open Sky Treaty"

　　China News Agency, Washington, May 21 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) The US government said on the 21st that the US would withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty on the grounds that Russia violated the treaty.

　　US President Trump explained the decision of "withdrawal" at the White House that day, "Our relationship with Russia is very good, but the Russian side did not abide by the treaty, so before they abide by the treaty, the US will withdraw."

　　He added that it is very likely that the two parties will reach a new agreement, "or do something to reach a new agreement".

　　The Open Sky Treaty was signed in 1992 and entered into force in 2002. According to the treaty, a Contracting State may conduct unarmed reconnaissance on the entire territory of other Contracting States in order to verify the implementation of the international arms control treaty. There are currently 34 parties to the treaty, including Russia and most members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

　　This is the second time the United States has withdrawn from relevant treaties in the field of international arms control. In August 2019, the United States formally withdrew from the "Guidance Treaty", and then began to test-fire conventional land-based cruise missiles restricted by the treaty.

　　The US media said that the Trump administration has notified relevant allies of this decision on the 21st. The reason is that Russia violates the treaty and can obtain aerial reconnaissance images faster and cheaper through the US and commercial satellites.

　　There have been mixed reactions within the United States to this Trump administration decision. Senator Military Committee member and Republican Senator Tom Cotton issued a statement on the 21st to support the United States ’withdrawal from the treaty. He believes that the treaty has technically become invalid and has become a valuable asset for Russian intelligence services. The United States no longer has to waste money on "outdated treaties."

　　Democrats such as Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the White House ’s move "is not only short-sighted but unreasonable in the context of the global public health crisis."

　　Supporters of the treaty believe that the Open Sky Treaty is a valuable tool for the United States to support its allies. Some American allies do not have advanced spy satellites to obtain these unclassified images.

　　At present, the only effective arms control treaty between the United States and Russia is the "New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty" that will expire in February next year. The Associated Press pointed out that this latest move by the Trump administration will bleak the prospects for the two countries to renew the treaty. (Finish)