White House responds to Russia's veto of UN nuclear weapons resolution

Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution proposed jointly by the United States and Japan, which would reaffirm the commitment of the Outer Space Treaty countries not to place nuclear weapons in orbit around the Earth.

This was stated by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, according to the White House press service.

He noted that the resolution would also call on all member states not to develop nuclear weapons specifically designed to be placed in orbit.

"Placement by a State Party of a nuclear weapon in orbit would not only violate the Outer Space Treaty, but would threaten the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial, and national security services that any and all satellites provide to societies around the globe," Sullivan said.

He noted that the United States believes that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.

"We have heard President Putin say publicly that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space. If that were the case, Russia would not have vetoed this resolution," he said.

The day before, at a UN meeting, Russia used its veto on a resolution calling on all countries to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space.

The document was voted in favor by 13 out of 15 countries. Russia opposed it, and China abstained. At the same time, the Russian representative to the UN called the resolution on nuclear weapons in space politicized.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 25/04/2024