Today marks the 12 year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Georgia.
“Since the Russian invasion of Georgia, Moscow has continued to be a destabilizing force in the region by illegally annexing Ukraine’s Crimea. Even after the invasions, Russia continues to flex control over these regions by manipulating agreements, such as the Open Skies Treaty, to restrict other states from flying over and surveilling illegally occupied territories. That is why I have been, and will continue to be, supportive of United States withdrawal from the Open Skies treaty,” said Turner. “As I have said before, treaties are not effective when other party states do not comply. Today, and every day, it is important to recognize Russian misuse of US-Moscow agreements. As long as Russia continues to exploit the Open Skies Treaty to restrict surveillance and reinforce false claims to territories like Ukraine’s Crimea, and Georgia’s South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions, I will continue to support actions that hold Russia accountable."
Congressman Mike Turner has long condemned Russia for their chronic violation and illegitimate manipulation of US-Moscow agreements. Turner has been an outspoken advocate for withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, publicly denouncing Russian abuse of the treaty in September 2017 and May 2020. In March of this year, Turner joined other members of the House Armed Services Committee in sending a letter to the Trump Administration urging U.S. withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty.
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