Europe Must Prepare For A US Exit From The Open Skies Treaty

The group of retired Nato generals said the strategic benefits of stability in the Atlantic were ‘very real’ for the US. Photograph: Vladimir Smirnov/Tass

The Guardian: Europe must prepare for US exit from vital Russia treaty, former Nato generals warn

Joint statement urges US to remain in Open Skies Treaty, designed to reduce risk of war breaking out through miscalculation.

A group of retired Nato generals and defence officials have urged the US to stay in a 1992 treaty with Russia on mutual reconnaissance flights, but also warned European capitals to prepare for a US exit.

The US defence secretary, Mark Esper, and the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, are said by US sources to be determined to leave the Open Skies Treaty (OST), which European leaders and arms control advocates believe reduces the risk of a war breaking out through miscalculation by adding to mutual transparency.

A joint statement by a group of 16 retired military commanders and defence ministers, coordinated by the European Leadership Network (ELN) released on Tuesday, said the OST was a vital pillar of stability between nuclear powers.

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WNU Editor: These retired NATO generals are correct that Europe must prepare for the termination of the Open Skies Treaty. But right now the entire focus in Europe is on the pandemic, and how to open up the continent.Treaties like Open Skies is on the bottom of everyone's priority list.