Russia vetoes UN resolution against arms race in space

The draft resolution was supported by 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council. China abstained from the vote, while Russia voted against.

The draft resolution called on all states, especially states with significant space exploration capabilities, to “actively promote the goal of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and to refrain from activities inconsistent with this goal and relevant existing treaties, the maintenance of international peace and security, and international in the interest of promoting cooperation”.

Several US media reported in February that Russia was trying to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon that could pose a threat to national and international security.

The resolution also affirmed that all parties to the Outer Space Treaty have an obligation to fully comply with it, “including not placing in orbit around the Earth any objects with nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction, not installing such weapons on celestial bodies, and not stationing such weapons in space in any other way.”

It emphasized the grave consequences of detonating a nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction in space.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said such a detonation could destroy thousands of satellites and “destroy the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial and national security services on which we all depend”.