Russia will officially leave the Open Skies Treaty on December 18 this year, a notice of withdrawal has been sent to the treaty’s depositary countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement
“On June 18, Federal Law No. 158-FZ of June 7, 2021 “On Denunciation of the Treaty on Open Skies by the Russian Federation” and Russian Government Order No. 1611-r of June 16, 2021 (on the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the group of Open Skies Treaty member states) came into force. In this connection, the Russian side sent notifications under the Treaty to its depositories (Hungary and Canada) and to the remaining States Parties through embassies in their respective capitals, as well as through delegations to the Open Skies Consultative Commission in Vienna”, – the Foreign Ministry said.
“Russia has notified all participating states of its decision to withdraw from the DON six months after the notification was sent. Thus, this will take place on December 18”, – the ministry added.
Russia is asking for a conference of the Open Skies Treaty member states to be convened as soon as possible to consider the consequences of Moscow’s withdrawal from the agreement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“In addition, the depositary states of the Treaty on Open Skies have been asked to immediately inform all States Parties of the relevant notification and to convene a conference of States Parties as soon as possible within the period stipulated by the Treaty (i.e. in 30 days) to consider the consequences of Russia’s withdrawal”, – the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.