Russia on Wednesday used its veto at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to block a resolution proposed by the United States and Japan to ban nuclear weapons in outer space.
China abstained from voting, but all 13 other Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution.
Russian Reasons stated The veto argued that a new resolution was unnecessary because orbital nuclear devices and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) were already prohibited under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The United States and Russia accused each other of playing dirty tricks and indulging in the geopolitical arena by proposing or opposing new measures, respectively.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was “inexplicable” that Russia would oppose a resolution that merely reaffirmed the 1967 treaty.
“Today’s veto begs the question: Why? If they are following the rules, why not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What are they hiding? It’s baffling. . And that’s unfortunate,” she said.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan dives into criticism of Thomas Greenfield, accusing Russia of shooting down the resolution because it is “developing new satellites with nuclear devices” and answered her rhetorical question.
Sullivan was hinting that comment White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby said in February that Russia was developing “troubling” new “space-based” anti-satellite weapons. Kirby provided few details about the weapon, but explicitly stated that it violates the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
More comments from U.S. intelligence officials in February was suggested Russia may be planning to launch into orbit a nuclear device that could be detonated and destroy vast numbers of commercial and military satellites in the event of an escalating military conflict.
One of the reasons this concept is so “troubling” to U.S. military planners is that it would be possible to detonate such a device without triggering a large-scale nuclear reaction, since there would be little human casualty or immediate environmental damage. There is a possibility that Russia believes that all it has to do is to let them do so.
The US reportedly warned China and India in February that it would also destroy its satellite networks if Russia detonated such a weapon, prompting Russian strongman Vladimir Putin to He reportedly warned the president that it would be in the interests of both countries to inform him that placing a nuclear bomb in orbit for any reason was prohibited. unacceptable.
thomas greenfield echoed These warnings were made publicly in her remarks at the United Nations, advising the entire world to unite against orbital nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons could destroy “thousands of satellites operated by countries and companies around the world” and wipe out “critical communications, science, and weather.” , agricultural, commercial, and national security services on which we all depend. ”
“Unfortunately, one permanent member of the Security Council has decided to silence the important message we wanted to send to the peoples of the world now and in the future: outer space is a peaceful place free from weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. We must continue to be in this area.” Said Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Today’s vote represents a real missed opportunity to rebuild much-needed confidence in existing arms control obligations. Now the work to right that wrong begins,” a joint statement after the vote said. Both Japan and the United States said.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzha, reacted on Wednesday to the new resolution, calling it “totally absurd and politicized” and criticizing it for not making much progress. sufficient The focus was on nuclear warheads rather than other space weapons.
“We want a ban on placing weapons of all kinds in outer space, not just weapons of mass destruction. But you don’t want that. And let me ask you the exact same question. “Please. Why?” Nebenja fired back at Thomas-Greenfield.
“It is completely ridiculous to try to portray Russia as a player who has no interest in preventing an arms race in space and who does not comply with relevant obligations under international treaties,” he sneered.
The Russian ambassador implied that the United States had long blocked Russia and China’s 2008 proposal to ban all weapons from space because of its plans to militarize space with non-nuclear weapons.he condemned The Security Council resolution was a “cynical ploy” with “ulterior motives”.
