By denouncing the treaty, Russia has closed its skies to observation flights.
Russia announces withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies over the territory of the federation.
The corresponding law “On Denunciation of the Treaty on Open Skies by the Russian Federation” was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Treaty on Open Skies allowed the 34 member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (including Ukraine, Russia, and the United States) to fly reconnaissance aircraft over the territories of the member states under special protocols and pre-agreed routes.
- On May 19, 2021, Duma deputies unanimously voted in favor of Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies
State Duma votes in favor of Russia’s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty - On November 22, 2020, the U.S. officially withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty, accusing Russia of violations, then the U.S. National Security Council noted that Russia had grossly violated the treaty for a long time, in particular by prohibiting surveillance flights over Moscow, Kaliningrad, Chechnya and near the borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Moscow has denied the violations and blamed Washington for everything.
- On May 22, 2020, U.S. National Security Adviser Robert OʼBrien said that by abusing the Open Skies Treaty, Russia was spying on then-President Donald Trump.
- The U.S. said Russia was spying on Trump using the Open Skies Agreement.
