21-06-2021 | 15:14 PM
US- Russia Open Skies Treaty
• The US administration announced that it does not seek to re-join the Open Skies Treaty with Russia.
Highlights
• The treaty is a key arms control agreement, that allowed US and Russia to fly surveillance aircraft over their military facilities
• According to the US administration, the US does not seek to enter the pact because of Russia’s failure to comply with it.
• Now, “New START treaty” is the only major arms control pact between both the countries which was extended for five years recently by the US.
About Open Skies Treaty
• The Open Skies Treaty was signed by the United States on March 24, 1992. It came into effect in 2002.
• The Treaty allows both member countries to fly surveillance aircraft over military facilities. The treaty was signed to promote transparency among member countries.
NOTE: Former President of the US, Donald Trump, announced its withdrawal in November 2020 while Russia announced to withdraw in January 2021.
