The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Ryabkov did not rule out that the process of denunciation of the treaty would end before the Russian-US summit.
On Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS that the US decision not to return to the Open Skies Treaty is their next political mistake.
“The United States has made another political mistake, struck a new blow to the European security system. We gave them a good chance, which they did not take advantage of”, – said the Deputy Minister.
“They continue to replicate fabrications about some violations of this treaty by Russia, which is completely absurd. And it makes no sense to repeat our position, those who wish can find it, as they say, at a time, but there are simply no such people in Washington”.
The timing of the completion of the procedures for Russia’s denunciation of the Open Skies Treaty now depends on the Federation Council and the decision of President Vladimir Putin, and it is possible that they will be completed before the Russian-US summit.
“Everything’s possible. I repeat: it has long been dependent not on the position of the Foreign Ministry, it now depends on the Federal Assembly, in this case on the Federation Council, because the State Duma has made its decision. And, of course, everything depends on the president”, – Ryabkov said.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister confirmed that the US First Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had informed him the day before about the US decision not to return to the Open Skies Treaty.