US slams Russia for vetoing UN Security Council resolution on Outer Space Treaty

The United States on April 24 condemned Russia for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution on the Outer Space Treaty, which imposed a legally binding obligation that countries not place weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons, in orbit may bring.

“As we have previously noted, the United States believes that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device. We have heard President (Vladimir) Putin say publicly that Russia has no intention of using nuclear weapons in space. If that were the case, “Russia would not have vetoed this resolution,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement after Russia vetoed the resolution at UN headquarters in New York.

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“Today, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution, jointly proposed by the United States and Japan, that would have reaffirmed the fundamental obligation of states parties to the Outer Space Treaty not to deploy nuclear weapons in orbit around the Earth. places,” Mr. Sullivan said. said. The resolution would also have called on all member states not to develop nuclear weapons specifically designed to be placed in orbit, he added.

“The placement by a State Party of a nuclear weapon in orbit would not only violate the Outer Space Treaty, but would also threaten vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial and national security services that supply all satellites to societies around the world. Mr. Sullivan said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told members of the U.N. Security Council that by vetoing the resolution, Russia had abdicated its responsibility.

“This is of course not the first time that Russia has undermined the global non-proliferation regime. In recent years, Russia has irresponsibly invoked dangerous nuclear rhetoric and reneged on some of its arms control obligations. The country is still not prepared to participate in this. in substantive discussions about arms control or risk reduction. And it has defended and even enabled dangerous proliferators,” she said.

Had it been adopted, the resolution would also have emphasized the need for further measures, including political commitments and legally binding instruments, with appropriate and effective provisions for verification, to prevent an arms race in space in all its aspects.