WASHINGTON: The United States has said it is withdrawing from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty that allows unarmed surveillance flights over member countries.

This is the Trump administration’s latest move to pull the US out of a major global treaty, international media reports have said.

It said Russia had repeatedly violated the terms of the pact.

According to senior officials, the pullout will formally take place in six months.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Russia could come into compliance.

He said the US has a good relationship with Russia. “Russia, however, didn’t adhere to the treaty,” he said adding that until Russia adheres, “we will pull out”.

President Trump has called for China to join the US and Russia in talks on the arms control accord to replace New START.

(With inputs from Agencies)