A diplomatic source in Brussels noted that the meeting “will consider the implications of this decision for European and Euro-Atlantic security and the conventional arms control regime”.
NATO Headquarters confirmed plans to hold a meeting of the NATO Council on May 22 in connection with the unilateral decision of the United States to leave the Treaty on Open Skies. This was announced to TASS on Thursday by an alliance press officer. NATO headquarters also expressed concern over the alleged “selective application of this treaty by Russia.
“All allies agree that arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation are key elements for achieving the security of the alliance. At the NATO Summit in 2018, NATO Heads of State and Government expressed their concern about Russia’s selective application of the Treaty on Open Skies and that this fact undermines the alliance’s security. We are particularly concerned about the fact that Russia has restricted [inspection] flights over its individual areas. The allies intend to consult intensively on the future of this treaty, and the North Atlantic Council will meet tomorrow to discuss this issue”, – the press office said.
The headquarters did not answer the question which alliance country initiated this meeting, but according to TASS sources, the meeting was convened on the initiative of the United States, which intends to gain the support of NATO countries for their decision to withdraw from the treaty. Earlier TASS diplomatic source also said that the meeting “will consider the implications of this decision for European and Euro-Atlantic security and the conventional arms control regime.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday Washington`s intention to withdraw from the DON, allowing participants to overfly each other`s territories to monitor military activities. The U.S. side cited Russia’s alleged violations of the treaty as a reason, while Moscow denies the allegations and makes counter accusations. For example, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia has a number of its claims against the United States under the Treaty on Open Skies, which have already been voiced before.