Russia

Russia Officially Completes Withdrawal From Open Skies Treaty

Russian Tupolev-214 airplane displays the Open Skies markings.

Russia has officially completed its obligations under the 2002 Open Skies Treaty and finalized its withdrawal from the agreement.

Moscow gave treaty signatories six months' notice of its intention to withdraw on June 18, following the withdrawal of the United States in November 2020.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump accused Russia of "flagrantly violating" the agreement.

Specifically, Washington said Russia had imposed flight restrictions over the Kaliningrad region, the area near its border with Georgia, and the North Caucasus region of Chechnya.

SEE ALSO: Senate Democrats Rebuke White House For Withdrawal From Open Skies Treaty With Russia

The treaty allows signatories to conduct unarmed surveillance flights over the territory of other participants as a means of boosting mutual confidence and preventing misunderstandings. Thirty-three countries remain part of the agreement.