The United States and Russia are bracing for a confrontation at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday regarding nuclear weapons in space. The council is slated to vote on a resolution put forward by the US, urging nations to prevent an arms race beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Expectations are high that Russia will veto the resolution, news agency Reuters reported citing indications by several diplomats.
Notably, the move by the US follows its accusation against Moscow of developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon for space deployment, an allegation firmly refuted by Russia’s defence minister.
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Japan’s UN Ambassador, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, issued a joint statement on Friday, disclosing six weeks of negotiations with the Security Council members on the draft text.
As per the Reuters report, the resolution underscores the commitment of states to adhere to the Outer Space Treaty, saying, “to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space”.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits signatories, including Russia, and the US, from stationing nuclear weapons or any other forms of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit.
According to Reuters, Russia, and China intend to propose an amendment for voting in the council, echoing a 2008 initiative for a treaty outlawing all weapons in outer space and the use of force against space objects. However, as per the report, the diplomats anticipate that the amendment will not gather enough support.
Both the amendment and the draft resolution require a minimum of nine affirmative votes and no vetos from Russia, China, the US, UK, or France for adoption.
Deputy Russian UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told Reuters that without their amendment, based on a General Assembly resolution from December 2023, the US-proposed text would be biased, detrimental, and politicised. It will potentially undermine the legal framework of the Outer Space Treaty, as per Polyanskiy.
“Without our amendment, based on the General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2023, the text tabled by the US will be unbalanced, harmful and politicised,” Polyanskiy was quoted as saying by Reuters.
“All questions relating to this sphere should be considered by the full membership of States Parties to this Treaty and not by the UN Security Council members only,” he added.
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US intelligence officials believe Russia possesses a space-based nuclear weapon capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation upon detonation, potentially disrupting extensive satellite networks, Reuters reported citing sources familiar with intelligence findings.
However, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby clarified, “Russia has not yet deployed such a weapon”.
In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Moscow’s opposition the the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.
Satellites in Earth’s orbit have become increasingly pivotal assets for governments, facilitating various military capabilities on the grounds. Recent events, such as the use of space-based communications and satellite-linked drones in the conflict in Ukraine, highlight the essential role of space in contemporary warfare.