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Signed on March 24, 1992, the Open Skies Treaty – of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – allows any member state to carry out short-term, unarmed reconnaissance flights over other territories to collect data on their military forces and activities. That is, in order to perceive, photograph from above the various territories, whether neighbors or rivals are preparing military attacks. However, according to a department statement led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the US broke away from the same six months after former President Donald Trump announced it will.
It should be noted that the US argument for the withdrawal is that Russia prevents the country from controlling its military exercises from the air and does not allow flights over regions where Moscow is believed to have nuclear weapons that can reach Europe. . , namely in Kaliningrad and near the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It should be remembered that the European allies have raised objections for fear that this decision would lead to Russia also banning the overflight of its territory from the Baltic bays , and this is useful for controlling movements.
US intelligence suspects Russia is using these flights to identify US facilities that may be vulnerable to cyber attacks. However, on the social network Twitter, the Russian ambassador to Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov wrote: “To date, the United States is no longer part of the Open Skies Treaty. Significant development. Let’s not forget that the participation of the United States was a prerequisite for the entry into force of the Treaty. Now the question is what Russia will do. All options are open at this stage “, wrote the diplomat. At his side, the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, “deeply deplored the withdrawal from the US, while stressing that the German position” on the treaty does not change “and remains faithful to an agreement considered” essential “.
In the official text of the treaty, available online in various versions – including the Portuguese version – it is possible to read that, among others, Member States must “promote greater openness and transparency in their military activities” and “strengthen security by adopting security measures. “. trust “and should” contribute to the future development and strengthening of peace, stability and cooperative security in this area by creating an open air observation regime “.
Today, based on the previous communication provided, the US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty is now effective. America is safer thanks to this, as Russia continues to fail to meet its obligations.
– Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 22, 2020
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