The treaty, signed in 1992 and put into force in 2002, permits airspace watch flights over signatory countries by unarmed reconnaissance planes for the transparency of military activities and building of mutual trust.
The treaty acceded to by over 30 countries including Russia is regarded as a “key element of arms control system” contributing to peace and security of the international community.
The U.S. default on its obligation under the international agreement has been rebuffed by the international community.
The Russian government strongly accused it, contending it will be another blow on the European military security system that has already been weakened due to the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty. EU member nations published a joint statement expressing regret.
Even heard from the U.S. are voices terming the White House decision an act of perfidy of striking blows on allies as well as a violation of the 2020 National Defence Authorization Act which set it a rule to make a prior notice to the Congress 120 days before withdrawal from the treaty.
The U.S. administration, however, is justifying it, arguing the measure was taken because of Russia’s systematic breach of the treaty and it concluded that the treaty is not in the U.S. interests.
The conflict between Russia and the U.S. over the implementation of the treaty was raised from several years ago.
The U.S. has availed itself of every opportunity to blame Russia for restricting watch flight over Russia and the latter responded with legally grounded answers.
For example, in 2017 the Russian Foreign Ministry in a commentary stressed that the restriction of the maximum flight range over Kaliningrad was taken according to the treaty on open skies and a decision of the negotiation committee on open skies. Russia called the U.S. a violator of Article 3 of the treaty as the latter virtually blocked the watch flight over the U.S. by a Russian plane equipped with digital device.
The majority of countries except those forces following the U.S. expressed skepticism over “Russia’s responsibility” touted by the U.S.
The international community is standing firm against the U.S., revealing the purpose sought by it from the withdrawal.
The Russian government stressed that several treaties stipulating the legal framework of state activities for maintaining strategic stability have been scrapped by the U.S. on purpose, adding this is a proof of the U.S. deliberate demolition of the world’s strategic stability mechanism.
The PAP of Poland reported that the U.S. has systematically scrapped treaties in the disarmament field and this has resulted in negative consequences like escalating insecurity in the world.
The Swiss media pointed out that reconnaissance flight is no longer a tempting field for the U.S. with the rapid development of satellite photography, adding that only those countries with no matching reconnaissance capability will be affected.
In the meantime, the signatory countries discussed to hold an emergency session to get prepared for the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty.
The Russian government stated it would make an extremely objective analysis of the situation to signify its next plan as part of its pressure upon the U.S.
Recently U.S. Congressmen expressed their uneasiness, saying that the administration will stand further isolated from the international community and face greater trouble if the U.S. default on the treaty continues.
Analysts comment that international treaties and organizations will exist forever, notwithstanding the U.S. withdrawals from treaties for its hegemonic goal. -0-
