UNSC fails to pass draft resolution on weapon-free outer space
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Russia blocks a US and Japan-sponsored draft resolution urging against space-based nuclear weapons, after its amendment extending the ban to all weapons failed to pass.
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U.N. Security Council members vote to approve the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons resolution bill, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the United Nations headquarters. (AP)
Russia blocked a draft resolution sponsored by the US and Japan which was urging against the development of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) meant for placement in orbit despite the 13 votes in favor and an abstention from China, according to Sputnik.
This occurred after Russia and China's proposed amendment which would extend the ban to include the placement of any type of weapons in space rather than just nuclear weapons and WMDs failed to pass with a 7-7 vote and one member abstaining.
Russia and China's vetoed amendment suggested the Security Council calls on "all States, and above all those with major space capabilities, to take urgent measures to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force in outer space, from space against Earth and from Earth against objects in outer space, and to seek through negotiations the early elaboration of appropriate reliably verifiable legally binding multilateral agreements."
Ahead of the vote on the amendment, Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said that "this is what the overwhelming majority of countries are now expecting from the Security Council. We call on all responsible participants in outer space activities to support our proposal."
The vote came after the United States accused Russia of developing space-based capabilities to launch assaults on satellites using nuclear weapons - accusations slammed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as "unfounded".
US criticized for undermining international security
Earlier in April, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the US for seeking to replace legally-binding international security mechanisms with vague norms of a "rules-based world order."
According to Zakharova, the US has been advocating its own strategy by promoting a "set of norms of ‘responsible’ behaviour within the framework of their concept of a 'rules-based world order.'"
The spokesperson also responded to statements from outgoing US Assistant Secretary of Defense John Plumb, who dismissed Russian-Chinese initiatives on preventing an arms race in space as a "political ploy" with unverifiable adherence.
"The US is an ardent opponent of Russian initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space. Strong opposition to the aforementioned Russian-Chinese draft treaty has long been an integral part of American foreign policy," Zakharova said in a Telegram post.
In turn, the Russian Embassy in the US echoed similar sentiments, accusing the Pentagon of using Russophobic slogans to justify its militarization of space plans.
The embassy's statement read, "We consider the Pentagon’s manipulations of information to be further proof of US attempts to use Russophobic slogans to justify its own plans for militarizing space."
Last year, the Russian Embassy in the US echoed similar sentiments, accusing the Pentagon of using Russophobic slogans to justify its militarization of space plans.
The embassy's statement read, "We consider the Pentagon’s manipulations of information to be further proof of US attempts to use Russophobic slogans to justify its own plans for militarizing space."
Meanwhile, the US is pushing a UN Security Council resolution on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space, amid US media claims of Russian anti-satellite nuke deployment, which Moscow denies and dubs "unfounded accusations".
Read more: Space race; Cosmic dash to the dark side of the moon
