Heiko Maas
Germany “extremely” regrets the US withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies and intends to continue to implement it, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas commented on Washington's decision. RIA Novosti reports.
“We are extremely sorry that the United States decided to take such a step and has now implemented it. Our own approach to the treaty remains unchanged: we see it as an important part of the arms control architecture that contributes to mutual trust and thus to security in the Northern Hemisphere, from Vancouver to Vladivostok, ”Maas said.
He added that Germany will continue to comply with the terms of the agreement, while pointing out that Berlin has already demonstrated this with the acquisition of the new Airbus A319 observation aircraft.
In addition, Berlin is in favor of a comprehensive modernization of conventional arms control in Europe. The minister explained that it is necessary to adjust the existing multilateral agreements and create “new trust mechanisms” to be prepared for new challenges to peace and security in the future.
The United States has ceased to be a party to the Open Skies Treaty since Sunday, November 22. The American side explained its position by the fact that Moscow allegedly does not comply with the points of the agreement. The White House also said that during flights over the United States, Russia monitored the whereabouts of US President Donald Trump. Moscow denies Washington's accusations.
The Russian side considers the US withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies (OON) a calculating game and will seek firm guarantees that the states remaining in the treaty will fulfill their obligations. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Washington expects that its allies will now prevent Russian observation flights over US military installations in Europe and at the same time share with the American side their photographic materials of Russian territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted that the treaty would cease to exist without US participation.
The Open Skies Treaty was signed in 1992. According to the document, the participating countries can make reconnaissance flights over each other's territory in order to monitor military activities and compliance with existing treaties in the field of arms control.
