Exploding a nuclear bomb in space can disable satellite systems – Photo: AFP
The US put the resolution to vote at the United Nations after accusing Russia of deploying anti-satellite nuclear weapons into space. The Russian Ministry of Defense has denied this allegation.
Reuters news agency quoted several diplomats as saying Russia expected to block this resolution.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Yamazaki Kazuyuki issued a joint statement that they have been negotiating with Security Council members on the draft text for the past six weeks.
The document affirms the obligation of states to comply with the Outer Space Treaty and calls on states to “actively contribute to the peaceful use of outer space and to prevent an arms race in outer space.” time”.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits signatories, including Russia and the United States, from placing “in orbit around the Earth any object carrying a nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction.” “.
Russia and China are pushing the United Nations to vote on amendments to the treaty, which could include the two countries’ 2008 proposal on “any weapons in outer space” and threats. “or the use of force against objects in outer space”.
However, this is not easy because each amendment and draft resolution requires at least 9 votes in favor and there is no veto from Russia, China, the US, the UK or France to pass.
“Without our amendments, based on the General Assembly resolution passed in December 2023, the text issued by the US will be unbalanced, harmful and politicized,” News Agency said. Reuters quoted Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy as saying.
Mr. Polyanskiy said “all issues related to this area must be considered by the entire membership of the member states of the said treaty and not only by the members of the Security Council”.
Some sources say US intelligence officials believe Russia could build a space-based nuclear bomb that, if detonated, would create electrical radiation that would disable satellite networks.
US White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russia has not yet deployed such weapons.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in February 2024 that Russia opposes the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.
