In a move that has raised questions about its intentions, Russia vetoed a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution that called for countries to prevent an arms race in outer space. The resolution received 13 votes in favor, but was blocked by Russia’s veto power. China abstained from the vote.
The US has accused Russia of developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon capable of disabling vast networks of satellites, a claim Russia has denied. Following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed puzzlement and shame over Russia’s veto, suggesting that it could be hiding something.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered by accusing the US of trying to tarnish Moscow’s reputation. He proposed a rival draft resolution that would ban all weapons in space, not just weapons of mass destruction. However, this amendment failed to pass, with seven votes in favor, seven against, and one abstention.
The UN’s Outer Space Treaty, signed by both Russia and the US in 1967, prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around Earth. Before the council vote, Russia and China proposed amending the US draft text to include a call for all states to prevent the placement of any weapons in space and the threat or use of force in space. This amendment also failed to pass.
The growing importance of satellites in modern warfare has made preventing an arms race in outer space a matter of global concern. Governments increasingly rely on satellites for military capabilities, as evidenced by space-based communications and satellite-connected drones used in the war in Ukraine.
Despite ongoing discussions between Russia and the US on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space, the US has expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions. The US administration official stated that Moscow had rejected further discussions on the topic.
Russia’s veto of the US resolution has highlighted the challenges in achieving international consensus on preventing an arms race in outer space. It remains to be seen whether Russia will engage constructively in negotiations on its own proposed resolution, which seeks a broader ban on all weapons in space.
