UN braces for US-Russia showdown on nukes in space

Tensions have escalated between the two superpowers following accusations by the US that Russia is developing anti-satellite nuclear weapons for deployment in space…reports Asian Lite News

The upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting is poised to become a battleground between the United States and Russia regarding the contentious issue of nuclear weapons in space. Set to vote on a US-drafted resolution aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space, the Security Council faces a potential deadlock as Russia is expected to block the draft.

Tensions have escalated between the two superpowers following accusations by the US that Russia is developing anti-satellite nuclear weapons for deployment in space, allegations vehemently denied by Russia’s defence minister. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, along with Japan’s UN Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki, have been engaged in negotiations over the draft resolution for six weeks, emphasizing the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space and upholding the Outer Space Treaty.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits signatories, including Russia and the US, from placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit. Russia, along with China, plans to introduce an amendment to the council proposing a treaty banning all weapons in outer space, a move intended to counter the US draft resolution. However, this amendment is not expected to gain sufficient support for adoption.

Deputy Russian UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy contends that the US draft resolution is unbalanced and politicized, arguing that issues related to outer space should be addressed by all parties to the Outer Space Treaty, not just Security Council members. Despite US intelligence officials’ concerns about Russia’s alleged development of space-based nuclear weapons, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated Russia’s opposition to the deployment of such weapons in space.

The increasing importance of satellites in military operations, exemplified by their role in the conflict in Ukraine, underscores the significance of preventing the militarization of outer space. With both the US and Russia asserting their positions on this critical issue, the Security Council faces a challenging task in finding a consensus that upholds international peace and security in the realm of space exploration.

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