Russia officialy withdraws from Open Skies TreatyDecember 18, 2021 - 12:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia on Saturday, December 18 officially withdrew from the Treaty on Open Skies, CGTN reports local media. On June 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law to quit the Treaty on Open Skies. Russia notified all related parties of its pullout on June 18 and the decision came into force six months later. The treaty, which became effective in 2002, allows state parties to conduct short-notice, unarmed reconnaissance flights over the territories under the sovereignty of other signatories to collect data on military forces and activities as a way to build confidence and familiarity. Washington officially announced its withdrawal from the accord in November 2020 under then U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing Moscow of "violating" its clauses. Moscow has denied all accusations. Russia has stressed that the United States is responsible for the collapse of the treaty. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |