Moscow. April 24. INTERFAX.RU – Members of the UN Security Council did not adopt a draft resolution regarding the non-placement of nuclear weapons in outer space.
At the vote, 13 countries supported the project, China abstained. Russia used its veto.
The resolution was developed by the United States together with Japan, which developed this draft resolution. It states that “our common goal is to prevent an arms race in space” and also requires compliance with obligations under the Outer Space Treaty, in particular “not to place any nuclear weapons or any weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth.”
In addition, the document calls on Security Council members “not to develop any nuclear weapons that are specifically designed for placement in orbit around the Earth.”
Earlier in April, the Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stated that the United States and Japan oppose the inclusion in the draft Security Council resolution on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space of a clause on the refusal to deploy any types of weapons there. “They want to include a requirement to not develop nuclear weapons specifically designed for deployment in space, but they are opposed to a broader similar commitment to place any type of weapon there,” Nebenzia said.
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Dmitry Polyansky emphasized in March that the American draft resolution is politicized, divorced from reality and has not been worked out at the expert level.
In early March, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s position, which is categorically against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. “On the contrary, we urge you to comply with all agreements that exist in this area,” Putin said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported that the Russian Federation does not have a project to create nuclear weapons to destroy objects in space.
Tags: Russia blocked Security Council resolution nonplacement nuclear weapons space
