US Tells Russia It Won’t Rejoin Open Skies Arms Control Pact

US Tells Russia It Won’t Rejoin Open Skies Arms Control Pact
A Russian Air Force Tu-214 flies over Offutt Air Force Base on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Omaha, Neb. Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP File
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WASHINGTON—The Biden administration informed Russia on Thursday that it will not rejoin a key arms control pact, even as the two sides prepare for a summit next month between their leaders.

U.S. officials said Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told the Russians that the administration had decided not to reenter the Open Skies Treaty, which had allowed surveillance flights over military facilities in both countries before President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact.