European Security and the Future of the Open Skies Treaty

The author analyses the consequences of withdrawal of the USA from the Open Skies Treaty for stability and security of Europe. The main provisions of the Treaty concerning functioning of the treaty and its importance for stability and security in Europe. The reaction of the EU and its leading states to the destruction of the Treaty and global system of arms control and their ideas how to retain the treaty in the interest of the European security have been studied. Special attention is devoted to convening a special session of parties to the treaty for reviewing the situation and defining further steps to maintain the treaty. Some measures on cooperation of the Russian Federation and European partners aimed on saving the treaty have been proposed. The article draws attention to the problem of studying possibilities of modernization of the global system of arms control with participation of all leading states which poses important potential of modern arms.