Russia has vetoed the UN resolution adopted by the Americans banning nuclear weapons in space.
Russia on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations resolution banning the use of nuclear weapons in space. The resolution was drafted and submitted to the UN by the United States of America and Japan.
The interception of the document took place against the background of data confirmed by US intelligence that Moscow is trying to develop a nuclear device for space capable of destroying satellites. Russia has traditionally denied these accusations, but Moscow’s behavior has seriously angered the Americans.
How the Russian Federation “returned”.
The US-drafted resolution states that countries “will not develop nuclear weapons or any other type of weapons of mass destruction” intended for deployment in space. The proposal also commits countries to “fully implement” the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has said Moscow also opposes putting nuclear weapons in space. However, on Wednesday, during the UN vote for the resolution, the Russian Federation, which has the right to veto as a permanent member of the council, blocked the document, despite the fact that 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council voted for initiative, and China simply abstained.
“Today’s veto begs the question: Why? Why, if you follow the rules, won’t you support a resolution confirming them? What can you hide? It’s strange, and it’s embarrassing,” said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield after the vote.
He also condemned China, saying “Beijing has shown that it would rather defend Russia as its junior partner than defend the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.”
American intelligence data
In February, US President Joe Biden said Washington had received intelligence that Russia was developing a nuclear anti-satellite capability. Such weapons can destroy satellites by creating a powerful wave of energy during the explosion.
Experts confirm this information. With these weapons, they say, Russia could take out a megaconstellation of small satellites, like SpaceX’s Starlink, that Ukraine has successfully used to counter Russian forces.
American officials, despite Putin’s objections, fear that Moscow could actually deploy a nuclear weapon or a mock warhead in space as early as this year. And this is allegedly proven by the blocking of the UN resolution.
“As we mentioned before, the United States believes that Russia is building a new satellite with a nuclear device. We heard that President Putin said publicly that Russia does not intend to put nuclear weapons in space. If this is the case, Russia will do what it did not veto this resolution,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said after Wednesday’s vote.
Russia’s reaction
In this regard, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya accused Washington of trying to discredit Moscow and said that the Russian Federation will soon begin negotiations with members of the Security Council on its own draft resolution aimed at maintaining peace in outer space.
“They are trying to portray our country as not interested in preventing an arms race in space. This is absurd,” Nebenzya said.
“We want a ban on all weapons in outer space, not just (weapons of mass destruction). But you don’t want that… Let me ask you the same question: why?” he asked Thomas-Greenfield at the UN Security Council.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.