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Hudson Issues Statement on the Open Skies Treaty

May 20, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Chairman of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement on the Open Skies Treaty:
"The administration is right to be concerned about the Kremlin’s non-compliance with arms control and other agreements," said Rep. Hudson. "However, Russian non-compliance with elements of the Open Skies Treaty, while unsatisfactory, does not negate the value this transparency regime still holds for the United States and its allies. As Chairman of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I am in constant dialogue with our friends abroad who would have us remain in the Treaty, and they are united in their view that this Treaty, despite Moscow’s defiance, continues to serve our collective security. I have yet to be convinced they are wrong."
The Open Skies Treaty provides for unarmed aerial observation flights over its 34 signatories and allows the U.S. to support partners like Ukraine through easily shareable imagery.
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