Belarus’ MFA Statement on the US withdrawal from the Treaty on Open Skies

On November 22, 2020 the US decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies took an effect.

The Republic of Belarus deeply regrets this step of the American Side.

Developed at the initiative of the United States in the early years after the end of the Cold War, the Treaty on Open Skies remains one of the most significant and effective legally binding military-political mechanisms in the space from Vancouver to Vladivostok, which provides an unprecedented level of transparency and predictability between the State Parties in the military sphere.

The Fourth Conference to Review the implementation of the Treaty on Open Skies, held on October 7-9, 2020, confirmed the Treaty’s relevance as a unique confidence-building measure and an integral element of the Euro-Atlantic security system.

The United States was one of the key parties to the Treaty and made a tangible contribution to its successful implementation. Washington’s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty undermines the viability of the Treaty and leads to a further increase in mistrust and military-political tension. It also inflicts serious damage to the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and the arms control mechanisms.

We hope that the American leadership will show political wisdom, and will reconsider its decision in the near future. We are convinced that the US return to the “open skies” community will not only strengthen the security of all Treaty’s State Parties, but will also have a positive effect on restoring the atmosphere of confidence in the Euro-Atlantic space.

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