In recent years, the United States has withdrawn from many international organizations and international treaties, especially withdrawing from many arms control treaties signed between Russia and the United States.
Since the announcement of the US decision to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, it has been strongly opposed by Russia.
The "Open Skies Treaty" was signed in 1992 and entered into force in 2002. There are currently more than 30 signatories.
Treaty countries can conduct "unarmed aerial reconnaissance" on each other's territories as required.
The "Open Skies Treaty" is considered an important confidence-building measure after the end of the Cold War, helping to increase transparency and reduce the risk of conflict.
The United States, Russia and most NATO countries have signed this treaty.
The U.S. claims that it withdrew because of Russia's breach of contract
On May 21 this year, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo accused Russia of violating the "Open Skies Treaty" in a statement, stating that the U.S. will submit notifications of withdrawal decisions to all signatories and formally withdraw from the treaty six months later. Unless Russia can reimplement this treaty.
The Russian side stated in this regard that the US's accusations were groundless and that the US continued to fulfill the conditions set forth in the "Open Skies Treaty" "absolutely unacceptable."
Over the past few months, the Russian side has repeatedly called for an equal dialogue on the "Open Skies Treaty", but the US seems to have "retired," and has never responded positively.
Russia denounces the U.S. for unilateral breach of contract
On October 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out when attending the annual meeting of Russian think tank "Valday International Debate Club" in Moscow that the United States withdrew from the "ABM Treaty" and then withdrew from the "Intermediate Range Treaty" and then initiated its withdrawal from the "Open Skies Treaty". The procedure of this kind of unilateral breach of contract will threaten the security of Europe, and it is not realistic to hope that Russia will remain alone in the Open Skies Treaty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin: European countries told us, let the United States withdraw, but you don't.
I said, my goodness, it was a great show.
You are all members of NATO, but you can continue air reconnaissance and pass on the information obtained to the United States, but we cannot do air reconnaissance because we are still in this treaty.
Putin reiterated that Russia is willing to negotiate with the United States in the fields of arms control and cyber security, but he urged the United States to maintain a clear understanding of the current world situation, change the solitaire mindset, and learn to consider each other's interests when constructing a new type of international relations. .