U.S. to pursue direct diplomatic talks with Russia over anti-satellite weapons concerns, says U.S. National Security Council spokesperson

The U.S. will hold direct diplomatic talks with Russia regarding the anti-satellite weapons it is developing, said U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby during a briefing. According to Kirby, Russia’s development of the technology is concerning but does not pose an immediate threat. He emphasized that the weapons involved cannot be used to attack people or to strike targets on Earth.

He also noted that the United States has long been aware of Russia’s desire to create such weapons. At the same time, according to Kirby, the U.S. intelligence community is concerned about the disclosure of classified information, believing it would be more effective to start a private dialogue between the countries rather than publish intelligence information in the media.

Earlier, House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner issued a statement warning of a “serious national security threat” and demanded that U.S. President Joe Biden declassify related information. Sources told ABC that Turner was referring to Russian plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space.