US- Russia Open Skies Treaty:
US administration led by Biden does not seek to re-join Open Skies Treaty with Russia.
- The treaty is a key arms control agreement, that allowed the US and Russia to fly surveillance aircraft over their military facilities
- According to the US administration, the US does not seek to renter the pact because of Russia’s failure to comply with it.
- Now, the “New START treaty” is the only major arms control pact between both countries which was extended for five years recently by the US.
- The Open Skies Treaty was signed by the United States on March 24, 1992.
- It came into effect in 2002. The Treaty allows both member countries to fly surveillance aircraft over military facilities.
- The treaty was signed to promote transparency among member countries.
- 34 member states had participated in the treaty.
- Former President of the US, Donald Trump, announced its withdrawal in November 2020 while Russia announced to withdrawal in January 2021.
