Turkey has banned Russian observation flight over its territory that was to be held within the framework of the Open Skies Treaty. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that Turkey has violated an international treaty by barring a planned Russian surveillance flight.
Turkey has banned Russian observation flight over its territory that was to be held within the framework of the Open Skies Treaty. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that Turkey has violated an international treaty by barring a planned Russian surveillance flight.
According to TASS, Sergey Ryzhkov, chief of the ministry’s department for control of implementation of treaties, recalled that the flight was to be held above Turkey on February 1-5, 2016 on board an An-30B aircraft and "no preliminary conditions or restrictions for Russia’s surveillance flight were voiced by the Turkish side."
Ryzhkov accused Turkey of creating a "dangerous precedent of uncontrolled military activities" by violations of the treaty requirements and unconstructive actions. The agreement allows unarmed observation flights over the entire territory of its three dozen participants, which include the U.S., Russia and Turkey, reports ABC News.
The Russian Defense Ministry mentioned that the Kremlin will not leave Turkey's violation without a proper attention and a relevant reaction.
