Russia vetoes UN resolution on nuclear arms race in space, US questions Moscow's intention

Russia vetoed a resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan over the nuclear arms race in space at the United Nations on Wednesday (April 24).

The resolutionwas aimedat preventing a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer spacewhichRussiacalled“a dirty spectacle"which is cherry-picking weapons of mass destruction among all other weapons whichshould also be banned.

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In the 15-member Security Council, 13 member countries voted in favour, China abstained from votingandRussia opposed the resolution.

The resolution is likely to have appealed to all the countries not to develop and deploy nuclear arms or any weapons of mass destruction in space, which is bannedunder a 1967 international treaty which includes the US and Russia.The nations would also have been askedto agree to the requirement to verify compliance.

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Russia'sveto raises concern overMoscow'schances of developing nuclear arms forspace

Reacting to RussianPresident VladimirPutin'sdecision to use a veto against the resolution, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield questioned Moscow over blocking theresolutionif it is not interested in deploying nuclear weapons in space.

“Today’sveto begs the question: Why? Why, if youare followingthe rules, would you not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What could you possibly be hiding?It’sbaffling. Andit’sa shame,"she said.

Meanwhile, echoingThomas-Greenfield'sremarks, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said,“The United States assesses that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.”Sullivan said that if Putin did not intend to deploy nuclear weapons in space,“Russia would not have vetoed this resolution.”

Russia’sUNAmbassador Vassily Nebenzia called the resolution“absolutely absurd andpoliticised,”and stated that it did notgo ahead in banningevery type of weapon in space.

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Russia, China proposeamendment

Later, Russia and China proposed an amendment in the draft in which they appealed to all the countries, especially those that hadmajorspace capabilities,“to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.”

Seven countries voted in favour of the amendment and7against itandone abstainedandthe amendment was defeated since it failed to get the minimum 9“yes”votes needed for adoption.

The amendmentwas opposedby the United Statesandafterthe voting, Nebenzia, while addressing the US ambassador, said,“We want a ban on the placement of weapons of any kind in outer space, not just WMDs (weapons of mass destruction). But youdon’twant that. And let me ask you that very same question. Why?”

He stated that much of the actions of the United States and Japan became clear“if we recall that the USand their allies announced some time ago plans to place weapons … in outer space.”

(With inputs from agencies)