Russia vetoes U.N. resolution calling for no nuclear weapons in space

Russia on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council draft resolution calling on nations to refrain from deploying nuclear weapons in space. Thirteen out of the 15 Security Council member states supported the resolution, drafted by the U.S. and Japan, while China abstained from voting.

The document stated that using nuclear weapons in space could have serious consequences and urged against the development of weapons of mass destruction intended for placement in Earth’s orbit. It also called on countries to prevent “an arms race in outer space.”

Before the vote, Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya said that the resolution was aimed at deepening divisions among U.N. Security Council members. Russia and China proposed an amendment calling on countries to permanently prevent “the placement of [all] weapons in outer space.” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova later stated that Russia vetoed the resolution because “the fundamental amendments proposed [by Russia] were ignored.”

According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. authorities fear that Russia is preparing to deploy nuclear weapons in space. The Kremlin has dismissed these reports as a ploy by the White House.