Russia vetoes UN resolution against nuclear weapons in space
Russia has used a veto to prevent the current ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons in space from being confirmed. The country is reportedly working on this.
(Bild: Skylines/Shutterstock.com)
A Russian veto has prevented the UN Security Council from underpinning the ban on deploying nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in outer space. Following reports of Russian progress in the development of a nuclear weapon for use in space, the resolution was intended to reaffirm the validity of the Outer Space Treaty. Russia prevented this with its veto and China abstained. The remaining 13 member states of the Security Council voted in favor. The USA subsequently criticized not only the Russian veto, but also China's abstention, saying that the Middle Kingdom had shown that it would rather defend its junior partner than protect global arms regulations.
Russia speaks of a "cynical trick"
The rejected draft resolution called on all states to "actively contribute to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space and to refrain from actions contrary to this objective and the relevant provisions". It also emphasized the obligation of countries to comply with the Outer Space Treaty and "not to place objects carrying nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth, install such weapons on celestial bodies or deploy such weapons in outer space." The detonation of a nuclear bomb or a weapon of mass destruction in space would have serious consequences for space activities and the planet .
Before the resolution tabled by the USA was voted on, a resolution tabled by China and Russia was under discussion. This was intended to ban the stationing of any weapons in space and to call for a legally binding multilateral agreement. However, this did not receive the necessary votes and there was no veto. Japan's representative rejected the draft as an attempt to "divide us". The proposal contradicts the UN Charter, which allows the use of force in self-defense and after authorization by the UN Security Council. After both votes, Russia's representative spoke of a "cynical trick" and claimed: "We are being tricked." The vetoed US resolution was a "joke".
The dispute in the UN Security Council was preceded by reports that Russia is developing a nuclear weapon that can be used to take out large numbers of satellites - regardless of whether they are civilian communication satellites, earth observation satellites or military equipment. The US government informed the local parliament and allies in Europe about this in February. It is unclear what kind of weapon is involved. One possible scenario, which has not been confirmed by US government representatives, involves mass constellations such as the Starlink satellite internet from the US company SpaceX. This has proven its enormous strategic importance in the Ukraine war and has not provided a single point of attack.
(mho)