Talking to reporters outside the White House, President Donald Trump announced that the US will exile the Open Skies Treaty until Russia adheres to the pact. According to the president, America's withdrawal would leave Moscow with no choice but to return to the table.
Trump hopes Russia and the U.S. will probably make a new agreement or take necessary actions to put that agreement back together. He believes as soon as America pulls out, Russia will do its best to try and make a deal. When asked about whether or not the move would lead to raised tensions with Russia, Trump said America will continue having a good relationship with Russia. Countries that are members of this 1992 treaty can carry out short-notice, surveillance, unarmed flights over the other countries to accumulate data on their military forces, as well as activities.
It is one of the top arms control treaties that America will be getting rid of under the Trump administration. Jonathan Hoffman, Pentagon spokesman said the current administration is attached to their treaty obligations, adding that their focus is to come up with agreements that prove to be advantageous for all sides, including partners that abide by their obligations responsibly.
Touted as a smaller part of a relatively broader web of arms control agreements, the Open Skies Treaty is designed to provide stability and uniformity on the European continent, while minimizing the risk of misjudgments that could lead to conflicts by providing transparency. Bipartisan groups that were a part of national security officials were unhappy about America withdrawing as this will lower the nation's leadership in the world, ensures Russia's victory, while crippling global and US security.
Gen. Michael Hayden vented out his frustration via a tweet, deeming Trump's decision "insane." Hayden is a former four-star general who served as director of the CIA for President George W. Bush, a National Security Agency director, and a principal deputy director of national intelligence. The New York Times was the first to confirm that a final decision has been reached.
European supporters, who have favored America's inclusion in the treaty, consider it to be a central part of the security framework. According to analysts, the United States' decision to depart is likely to increase the stress in transatlantic relations.
In a statement comprising nearly 1,000 words, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained the decision that the US realizes Europeans will continue valuing the treaty. Pompeo said the nation will be fully out of the treaty in just six months, but America will stop the withdrawal provided Russia guarantees full compliance with the Treaty.