Donald Trump withdraws from Open Skies treaty

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The United States formally withdrew on Sunday from the Open Skies Treaty, an 18-year-old arms control and verification agreement that Washington repeatedly accused Moscow of violating.

The withdrawal is the latest blow to the system of international arms control that U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly scorned, complaining that Washington was being either deceived or unfairly restrained in its military capabilities.

The U.S. State Department confirmed the move, noting six months had expired since notice of the pending exit had been issued and saying "the U.S. withdrawal took effect on November 22, 2020, and the United States is no longer a State Party to the Treaty on Open Skies."

The National Security Council confirmed the withdrawal and added that "Russia flagrantly violated [the treaty] for years."

It quoted national-security adviser Robert O'Brien as saying the move was part of an effort to "put America first by withdrawing us from outdated treaties and agreements that have benefited our adversaries at the expense of our national security."