The "Open Skies Treaty" was signed and ratified in 2002 and now has 34 members.
"Russia didn't adhere to the treaty. So, until they adhere, we will pull out," he told reporters.
The Russians justify the last one by saying that enclaves of Georgia occupied by Russia in 2008 are separate, independent countries not subject to the treaty.
Less concerned, apparently, by Russian violations than by the American response, Democrats on the Hill denounced the President's decision, angry that it came during the Wuhan virus pandemic and worried that it would undermine U.S. alliances with European allies who believe the treaty keeps Russia "Accountable for its military activities" in the region.
"The Open Skies Treaty started life as a good-faith agreement between major powers and died an asset of Russian intelligence. For Mr. Putin, the treaty was just another scheme to snatch a military and surveillance advantage over the U.S. and NATO. Further, the treaty was technically defunct, as outdated and irrelevant as the VHS recorder or cassette deck."
The Open Skies Treaty was a manifestation of that attitude.
Russia, under Vladimir Putin, retains the old Soviet hostility toward the West, making the demise of the treaty essential as a matter of U.S. national security.
"Russia didn't adhere to the treaty. So, until they adhere, we will pull out," he told reporters.
The Russians justify the last one by saying that enclaves of Georgia occupied by Russia in 2008 are separate, independent countries not subject to the treaty.
Less concerned, apparently, by Russian violations than by the American response, Democrats on the Hill denounced the President's decision, angry that it came during the Wuhan virus pandemic and worried that it would undermine U.S. alliances with European allies who believe the treaty keeps Russia "Accountable for its military activities" in the region.
"The Open Skies Treaty started life as a good-faith agreement between major powers and died an asset of Russian intelligence. For Mr. Putin, the treaty was just another scheme to snatch a military and surveillance advantage over the U.S. and NATO. Further, the treaty was technically defunct, as outdated and irrelevant as the VHS recorder or cassette deck."
The Open Skies Treaty was a manifestation of that attitude.
Russia, under Vladimir Putin, retains the old Soviet hostility toward the West, making the demise of the treaty essential as a matter of U.S. national security.
No comments:
Post a Comment