This week, Russia unsurprisingly vetoed a draft resolution to prevent the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.
Thirteen other members of the security council voted in favor of the resolution, while China abstained, Reutersreported.
Being a permanent member of the security council, Russias veto prevented the resolution from being adopted.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia vetoes a resolution calling for the prevention of a nuclear arms race in outer space during a Security Council session on April 24, 2024.Photo: Bebeto Matthews (AP)
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.
In February, the White House confirmed intelligencereportssuggesting that Russia is developing nuclear anti-satellite weapons.
In response, theU.S.
adopted a self-imposed banon the ASAT tests in April 2022 and then encouraged other nations to follow suit.
The amendment was rejected, but it did receive support from seven members of the security council.
Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy is quoted in Reuters as saying.
The resolution, though it didnt pass, did solidify ongoing space alliances.
Russias own space program is falling behind, and the country doesnt bring much to its alliance with China.
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