Russia vetoes UN resolution to prevent nuclear weapons in space

Russia on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have called on all states to prevent placing nuclear weapons in space and not take steps to develop weapons of mass destruction that could be deployed above Earth. .

Thirteen member countries voted in favor of the UN Security Council resolution, including the US and Japan, which led the measure. Although Russia was the only one that did not vote, Moscow is a permanent member and can veto resolutions. China abstained from the vote.

After the vote, the US mission to the UN criticized Russia for defeating the resolution and criticized China for not voting against it.

US Ambassador Robert Wood, alternate representative for special political affairs at the UN, said the resolution “would have reaffirmed the common objective of preventing an arms race in outer space and urged the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes”.

“We are extremely disappointed with the result of today’s vote. But we remain undeterred,” he said in a press conference after the vote. “We will continue to come to the negotiating table in good faith and encourage bilateral arms control discussions with Russia and China at this time without preconditions.”

Russia’s veto comes after the US warned earlier this year that Moscow was preparing to potentially deploy a nuclear weapon in space that could threaten other satellites. The US previously told allies that Russia could launch the nuclear weapon into space or a simulated warhead for testing this year.

If Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in space, it would be a violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prevents weapons of mass destruction in space. The USA, Russia and China are signatories to this treaty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any plans to put nuclear weapons in space, but concerns arise as he repeatedly threatened the US and Western allies with nuclear weapons during the war in Ukraine.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said after Wednesday’s vote that Moscow has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space and accused the US of blocking other proposals to prevent all weapons in space instead.

“Washington is clumsily trying [shake] criticism, shifting blame,” he said, adding that Russia would soon present an alternative resolution.

Russia, along with China, proposed an amendment to the resolution that would have called on states to prevent placing any weapons in space, but the measure was defeated, failing to secure the support of nine council members.

Chinese UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said there should be attempts to prevent an arms race in space, also appearing to shift blame to the US by accusing a council member of building military alliances in space.

“The draft resolution that was just voted on is incomplete and unbalanced,” he said. “If the US and Japan were truly committed to advancing the council’s constructive deliberations on the security of outer space, then they should focus squarely on the risks of outer space being weaponized and the potential arms race.”

The resolution would have specifically reaffirmed Outer Space Treaty obligations and called on all member countries not to develop nuclear weapons that could be used in space.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote that Russia appeared to be “hiding” something by vetoing the resolution.

“Why, if you’re following the rules, wouldn’t you support a resolution that reaffirms them?” she said. “Today’s vote marks a real missed opportunity to rebuild much-needed trust in existing gun control obligations.”