On Thursday, May 21, the head of the White House Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States of America from the next international agreement - the Open Skies Treaty. The reason for this step was allegedly non-compliance with established regulations by Russia.

“I think that we have very good relations with Russia, but Russia did not adhere (agreement. -  RT ). Therefore, until they stick, we will exit. But there is a very good chance that we can reach a new agreement or do something to restore this agreement, ”Trump said.

In turn, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that for years Russia has defiantly and regularly violated the treaty in various ways.

“In six months, starting tomorrow, the United States will no longer be a party to the treaty. However, we can reconsider our way out if Russia returns to full compliance with the agreement, ”the head of the State Department added.

At the same time, the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States and retired General Michael Hayden called the "insanity" of the actions of his own country.

Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Stefan Dujarric, in turn, expressed concern "in connection with the erosion of the arms control regime," emphasizing that this regime works for the benefit of the entire international community.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized US attempts to explain the withdrawal from the Don as if the Russian side did not comply with its conditions.

“If there is political will ... all problems are solved on the basis of cooperation, on the basis of a balance of interests and taking into account the need to maintain the viability of the respective regimes. Therefore, nothing prevents the continuation of the discussion of these technical issues, which the US is trying to present today as some kind of violations by the Russian Federation, ”RIA Novosti quotes Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

According to him, it is absolutely unnecessary for Washington to leave the treaty, especially since it has served the interests of maintaining peace and security in Europe for more than 20 years.

“In the same way, under far-fetched pretexts, they withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Missile Treaty. Prior to this, they created insurmountable obstacles to ratification of the agreement on adaptation of the conventional arms treaty in Europe, took a whole series of destructive steps in the field of strategic stability and security and, apparently, are moving towards undermining another fundamental agreement that seriously strengthened confidence and security on continent, ”stated Grushko.

Recall that the Open Skies Treaty was concluded in 1992. The document aims to strengthen confidence between states by improving the system of control over the activities of the military. The agreement gives the participants of the Don the right, by mutual agreement, and according to the quota system to make observation flights over each other's territories. At the moment, 34 states have joined it.

  • Aircraft operating under the Open Skies Agreement
  • © Wikimedia Commons

In the fall of 2019, reports appeared in the American media that the Donald Trump administration was exploring the possibility of withdrawing from this multilateral treaty. At the same time, American congressmen expressed disagreement with this development. Meanwhile, in February 2020, the head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, said that the American side could no longer put up with the fact that Russia allegedly did not comply with the terms of the Don. At the same time, he emphasized that the decision on a possible withdrawal from the treaty by Washington has not yet been made.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has already commented on the allegations from the United States.

They noted that they did not violate the terms of the contract by not allowing part of the already agreed plan of the US-Canadian mission to be carried out in September 2019 during the Center-2019 exercises. The department explained that the ban was dictated by the difficulty of ensuring flight safety during the active phase of maneuvers, and the observing party was asked to conduct an observation flight over this section at another time. But this proposal was rejected.

In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated that Washington, in turn, repeatedly violated the terms of the agreement. In particular, the American authorities reduced the maximum permitted range and altitude. In addition, the United States imposed restrictions on observation flights over the territory of the Aleutian Islands and took a number of other steps not provided for by the Don, reducing the effectiveness of Russian missions under the treaty.

“Irresponsible attitude to the structure of European security”

According to Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, the US decision should be treated calmly and without panic, since Russia is able to protect itself and its allies.

“I think that the Americans have come to this decision for a long time. The United States believes that they have no serious opponents and can do anything. As for the Open Skies Treaty, America has long wanted to get out of it, because, in her opinion, flying over its territory is harmful from the point of view of obtaining intelligence information, ”the source said.

In turn, the deputy chairman of the State Duma’s defense committee, Yuri Shvytkin, in an interview with RT, said that Washington would deal another blow to Europe’s security system with its decision.

“Of course, this speaks of undermining European security and mutual trust on the part of the United States. The United States uses some intricacies in this regard because the Open Skies Treaty was signed by 34 states and the vast majority of them are NATO countries. And one way or another, they will continue to exchange information with the States, ”the deputy said.

In his opinion, Russia "should not calmly contemplate such actions, it is necessary to take retaliatory measures."

“All these are links of one chain, as well as the non-extension of the INF Treaty. The United States did not take a course on constructive relations with Russia, but on a destructive position in relation to our state and on an irresponsible attitude to the structure of European security as a whole, ”he said