Russia blocks the UN vote on stopping space weaponization / Article

The draft resolution tried to reconfirm the principle already established in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty – to invite all countries, especially those with significant capabilities in space exploration, to actively promote the goal of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

The proposal also calls on countries to comply with the Outer Space Treaty, according to which all parties have agreed not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects with nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction.

Of the 15 Council members, 13 voted in favor, while Russia, one of the five permanent members with veto power, voted against and China abstained.

Back in February, there were reports that Russia was trying to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon that could pose a threat to national and international security.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at the time that Moscow categorically opposes the use of nuclear weapons in space.

As the British broadcasting company BBC pointed out, it is the USA that depends more than any other global player on satellite communications – starting from military operations and surveillance, ending with such important everyday things as the use of GPS systems and financial transactions.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, once again pointed out that the information available to the US indicates Russia’s efforts to develop a new satellite that could be equipped with a nuclear device. Details of the intelligence behind the claim have not been released.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was firmly committed to its international legal obligations, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

On the other hand, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasiliy Nebenzya, described the US-Japan resolution as a cynical ploy with ulterior motives.

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