Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized statements by the American side made before withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty.
The diplomat made the corresponding statement on the NTV television channel, Gazeta.ru writes.
Maria Zakharova noted that Washington was not going to discuss with Moscow claims submitted after leaving the Treaty for compliance with the agreement.
According to the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United States every six months “came up with new and new explanations”, which in turn prepared public opinion for the final decision voiced this week.
The diplomat added that the accusations against Russia are an example of “an excuse to justify their own actions” on the part of the American side.
“Every time there were new claims that they could not confirm in any way and, most importantly, they were not even going to discuss with us within the framework of the existing mechanism”, – stressed Zakharova.
She also expressed the view that the White House “took a course” to lift obligations that, in the opinion of the American side, “tied their hands.”
Earlier it was repported that on Friday, May 22, the United States would officially notify parties to the Open Skies Treaty of its withdrawal from the agreement. The Americans called the reason for the exit the fact that supposedly Russia does not comply with the terms of the agreement.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump did not rule out that the decision could change if Moscow begins to follow the document. Russian officials have denied Washington’s allegations of breach of contract.