Kremlin regrets US decision not to rejoin Open Skies pact
The Kremlin said on Friday it regrets the US’ decision not to rejoin the Open Skies arms control pact.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the pact would lose utility if the US was not included.
The agreement, which allows unarmed surveillance fights over member countries, fell apart after former President Donald Trump decided to withdraw in 2020.
It was Moscow’s hope that the Biden administration would backtrack on Trump’s decision.
Washington informed Moscow on Thursday that it would not be rejoining the pact and accused Russia of violating it. Russia denies such allegations.
In January, Russia announced its own plans to leave the pact, and the government submitted legislation to parliament in May to formalise its departure.