Russia proposes UN resolution to ban weaponization of outer space

Russia urges countries to take urgent action to “forever” prevent weapons in outer space, a week after vetoing a U.S.-Japan resolution to halt an arms race in space Distributed United Nations resolutions.

Russia’s draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, goes further than the Japanese and U.S. proposals, calling not only efforts to prevent the deployment of weapons in outer space but also “threats or uses of force in outer space.” ” is also sought to be prevented. “Always.”

This should include deploying weapons “from space against Earth and from Earth against objects in outer space.”

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When Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia vetoed the U.S.-Japan draft, he told the Security Council that it did not go far enough to ban all types of weapons in space.

The vetoed resolution focuses only on weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and makes no mention of other weapons in space.

It calls on all countries not to develop or deploy nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space, which is prohibited by the 1967 international treaty ratified by the United States and Russia, and agrees to the need to verify compliance. I would have asked for that.

Before the U.S.-Japan resolution was voted on on April 24, Russia and China called on all countries, especially those with space capabilities, to “permanently prevent the installation of weapons in outer space.” He proposed the amendments he requested. Threat of use of force in outer space. ”

Seven countries voted in favor, seven against, and one country abstained.The amendment was rejected because it did not receive the minimum nine votes in favor of the 15-member Security Council needed for adoption.

After the vote, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the board that Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Russia had no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space.

“Today’s veto begs the question: Why? They followed the rules, so why not support a resolution to reaffirm them? What are they hiding?” she asked. “It’s puzzling. And it’s unfortunate.”

Putin responded to White House confirmation in February that Russia had acquired “troubling” anti-satellite weapons capabilities, but that such weapons were not yet operational.

After vetoing the deal, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia said the U.S.-Japan resolution was a selective selection of weapons of mass destruction.

“Much of the actions of the United States and Japan become clear if we remember that not long ago the United States and its allies announced plans to deploy weapons in space,” he said.

Nebenzia also accused the United States of blocking Russia and China’s proposals since 2008 for a treaty banning the installation of weapons in outer space.

Thomas-Greenfield argues that Russia has violated the global treaty to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, irresponsibly engaged in “dangerous nuclear rhetoric,” shirked some of its arms control obligations, and “prohibited arms control and risk reduction.” He accused the country of refusing to participate in “substantive discussions about the issue.” ”

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Most of the Russian draft resolution is identical to the Japanese and US drafts, including language on preventing an arms race in space.

The report calls on all countries, especially those with major space capabilities, to “contribute actively to the objectives of peaceful uses of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the world was just beginning to understand “the devastating effects of a nuclear explosion in space.”