A UN Security Council resolution urging all nations to refrain from a weapons race in space has been vetoed by Russia.
The US and Japan proposed the draft resolution, which aimed to restate an already-established principle from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
Russia is allegedly working on developing a nuclear weapon that can destroy satellites in space, the US has warned.
Russia declared itself “firmly committed” to the current agreement.
The proposal, which was submitted on Wednesday, urged “all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”
The Outer Space Treaty, which committed the parties to “not place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction,” was also urged to be upheld by the participating nations.
China abstained while Russia, one of the five permanent members with a veto, voted against the resolution, leaving 13 of the council’s fifteen members in favor.
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, referred to the action as “baffling”.
“Russia has vetoed a straightforward resolution that affirms a legally binding obligation,” she said. “President Putin himself has said publicly that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space.
“So today’s veto begs the question, why? Why, if you are following the rules, would you not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What could you possibly be hiding?”
Although the weapon was not yet operational, White House spokesman John Kirby stated in February that Russia was developing a “troubling” new anti-satellite missile.
According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, the weapon was space-based and equipped with a nuclear bomb to target satellites.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Moscow to be “categorically against” the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.
The US relies more than any other country on satellite communications for a wide range of purposes, including financial transactions, GPS systems, military activities, and spying.
“Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device,” according to US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who reaffirmed this assessment on Wednesday.
The specific intelligence supporting this claim has not been made public.
Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, stated that “Russia is firmly committed to its international legal obligations, including 1967 The Outer Space Treaty.”
Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador to the UN, called the US-Japanese resolution a “cynical ploy” with “hidden motives”.
The US, UK, France, China, and Russia are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. The remaining ten seats are shared by the other UN members and are each subject to a veto. (BBC)
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