Russia has vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council calling on all countries to prevent an arms race in outer space. The draft resolution, proposed by the US and Japan, aimed to reaffirm a principle already established in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The United States has raised concerns that Russia may be developing a space-based, anti-satellite nuclear weapon. Russia, however, emphasized its commitment to the existing treaty.
The draft resolution, submitted on Wednesday, urged “all States, especially those with major space capabilities, to actively contribute to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”
It also called on countries to abide by the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits placing nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit.
Out of the council’s 15 members, 13 voted in favor, while Russia, one of the five permanent members with veto power, voted against, and China abstained.
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, criticized Russia’s move, calling it “baffling.” She questioned why Russia, if following the rules, would not support a resolution reaffirming them, especially given President Putin’s public statement that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space.
In February, the White House expressed concern over Russia’s development of a new anti-satellite weapon, although it was not operational yet. This weapon, as reported by CBS News, was space-based and armed with a nuclear device to target satellites.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by stating that Russia was “categorically against” the use of nuclear weapons in space.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated the US assessment that “Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device,” although details of the intelligence supporting this claim were not disclosed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov affirmed Russia’s commitment to its international legal obligations, including the Outer Space Treaty. Meanwhile, Russia’s envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, described the US-Japanese resolution as a “cynical ploy” with “hidden motives.”
The UN Security Council consists of five permanent members, each with veto power, and ten rotating seats among other UN member states.
