The head of the Russian delegation at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, Konstantin Gavrilov, noted that they could become an alternative to the Open Skies Treaty
MOSCOW, December 17. /tass/. The head of the Russian delegation at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, Konstantin Gavrilov, told Izvestia that Russia has satellites that can track the movements of military forces in Europe and the United States, and this tool can become an alternative to the Open Skies Treaty (DON), from which the Russian Federation will withdraw on December 18.
"The Russian Federation has a satellite grouping capable of monitoring any movement of the armed forces both in Europe and on the other side of the Atlantic," Gavrilov said, answering the question about what instruments of monitoring the territory of the United States and its allies can become an alternative to the DON.
He also noted that the fate of the DON is under the jurisdiction of the remaining states parties, although the territorial scope of the treaty in the absence of Russia and the United States will be reduced significantly.
"Suffice it to say that of the 1,550 flights carried out by all participating states within the framework of the DON, 1,150 were carried out and accepted by the Russia-Belarus group of states, that is, 75%. These are eloquent figures. Of course, the situation in the sphere of European security will also not benefit," Gavrilov explained.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Russia did everything to preserve the treaty and all responsibility for its collapse lies with the United States, which actively advocates transparency in the military field "only in cases when they expect to realize some of their advantages through it." The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the situation with the treaty shows the futility of attempts to achieve unilateral advantages, while ignoring the interests and concerns of Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on Western partners to realize that they will not be able to ensure their security without taking into account the security interests of Russia and its allies.
The Russian diplomatic department informed that Russia will completely withdraw from the DON on December 18, 2021.
