(TargetLiberty.org) – Earlier this year, President Donald Trump began the process of withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty within Russia. The agreement allowed both countries to conduct surveillance flights over territory belonging to each country. The administration just made it official.
On Sunday, November 22, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the US was officially withdrawing from the treaty. According to the top diplomat, it was no longer beneficial for America to comply with the agreement since Russia regularly fails to meet its obligations.
Today, pursuant to earlier notice provided, the United States withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies is now effective. America is more secure because of it, as Russia remains in non-compliance with its obligations.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 22, 2020
Russia has repeatedly refused to allow surveillance over parts of its territories. US officials have said they don’t need to conduct manned flights over the areas to surveil them. Instead, they’ll gather the information from satellites. The American military will get what it needs, either way, but it doesn’t make sense to keep up the charades with the former soviet country.
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