国际英语资讯:U.S. says pulling out of Treaty on Open Skies_时事

国际英语资讯:U.S. says pulling out of Treaty on Open Skies

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States is withdrawing from the Treaty on Open Skies, the latest move to abandon a major international arms control agreement.

"Russia didn't adhere to the treaty, so until they adhere we will pull out," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the decision to withdraw from the treaty.

"But there is a very good chance we will make a new agreement or do something to put that agreement back together," Trump added, without elaborating.

国际英语资讯:U.S. says pulling out of Treaty on Open Skies1

The Washington Post reported that Christopher Ford, assistant secretary of state for international security and noNPRoliferation, would inform Moscow of the decision during his Thursday's lunch with Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov.

Analysts noted that the U.S. pullout, rumored for months, would cause grievance among European allies who are also participating in the treaty. The withdrawal would formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms.

The treaty, which became effective in 2002, allows its states-parties to conduct short-notice, unarmed reconnaissance flights over the others' entire territories to collect data on military forces and activities.

Currently, 35 nations, including Russia, the United States, and some other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, have signed it. Kyrgyzstan has signed but not ratified it yet.