Russia has a “Plan B” in case the US withdraws from the Open Skies Treaty. This was stated to reporters by the director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir Ermakov.
The diplomat noted that the United States “has long ceased to position itself as a reliable partner,” and therefore Russia has to plan its steps. At the same time, the Russian side must first wait for official notification from Washington, Yermakov added.
Earlier, American media reported that Donald Trump on Friday, May 22, intends to announce Washington’s withdrawal from the open skies agreement, which allowed the Russian Federation and the United States to conduct reconnaissance flights over each other’s territories in order to monitor the implementation of other agreements. However, the American leader decided to force things and announced his intention to withdraw from the agreement already on Thursday, the 21st.
At the same time, Trump said that the United States “has excellent relations with the Russian Federation,” but at the same time, the Russian side does not adhere to the terms of the agreement. In general, according to the American leader, the parties have a great chance to conclude a new agreement over time or to renew the previous agreement.
Russian diplomats in this regard noted that there were no violations of the terms of the contract by the Russian Federation, and all contradictions and mutual claims could be discussed and resolved.
