China News Service, July 8th, according to the Russian Satellite Network, Russian Foreign Ministry figure Oleg Bushuyev said that Russia will not persuade the United States to remain in the "Open Sky Treaty."
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said after the online meeting of the parties that Russia and the United States were not close, and Washington was unlikely to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Open Sky Treaty.
At a meeting organized by the International Debate Club "Valde", Bshuyev said: "I think the outcome of the meeting is twofold. On the one hand, we see that, unfortunately, the American partners have not shown any political will, nor have they hinted at a cessation. Withdrawing from the agreement, we will only take further measures based on our common interests. We do not intend to persuade the United States that this is their decision."
Bshuyev pointed out that all parties to the treaty expressed their support for the retention of the treaty as an important factor in transparency and measures to strengthen European security.
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 to verify the other party’s implementation of international arms control treaties. There are currently 34 parties to the treaty, including Russia and most members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
On May 21 this year, the United States announced that it would initiate the withdrawal of the "Open Sky Treaty" from May 22 on the grounds that Russia violated the treaty. The withdrawal step will be completed in six months. In this regard, Russia has stated that the withdrawal of the United States from the "Open Sky Treaty" does not mean the end of the treaty. As long as the "Open Sky Treaty" is in effect, Russia intends to fully abide by the treaty.