A resolution proposed by the US and Japan to the UN urging all countries to stop a risky nuclear arms race in space was vetoed by Russia, who described it as “a dirty spectacle” that separates out weapons of mass devastation from all other weapons that need to be prohibited.
Russia rejected a UN resolution on Wednesday that was supported by the US and Japan and urged all countries to stop a risky nuclear arms race in space. It described the resolution as “a dirty spectacle” that separates out weapons of mass destruction from all other weapons that need to be prohibited.
Thirteen members of the fifteen-member Security Council voted in favor, Russia against, and China did not vote.
The resolution would have demanded that all nations agree to the necessity of verifying compliance and refrain from developing or deploying nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space, as prohibited by a 1967 international convention that involved both the US and Russia.
Following the vote, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated that Moscow had no plans to launch nuclear weapons into space.
“The veto of today raises the question: Why? Why would you oppose a resolution that restates the rules if you are abiding by them? She questioned, “What could you possibly be hiding?” It’s perplexing. It’s unfortunate as well.
Putin was reacting to the White House’s February revelation that Russia possesses a “troubling” anti-satellite weapon capability, despite the fact that the device is not yet operational.
In agreement with Thomas-Greenfield, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reiterated on Wednesday that “the United States assesses that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.” Sullivan stated, “Russia would not have vetoed this resolution if Putin had no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space.”
Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador to the UN, criticized the resolution, calling it “absolutely absurd and politicised” and claiming that it fell short of fully prohibiting all weapons in space.
An addendum to the US-Japan draft that was put out by Russia and China called for all nations, particularly those with significant space capabilities, “to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.”
The amendment was defeated because it did not receive the necessary nine “yes” votes to be adopted. The vote was seven countries in favor, seven against, and one abstention.
Nebenzia addressed the US ambassador following the vote and stated, “We want a ban on the placement of weapons of any kind in outer space, not just WMDs (weapons of mass destruction).” The US was against the amendment.
