Russia Proposes Stronger U.N. Resolution to Prevent Weapons and Use of Force in Space

Russia has circulated a U.N. resolution calling on all countries to take urgent action to prevent putting weapons in outer space "for all time", following its veto of a U.S.-Japan resolution to stop an arms race in space. The Russian draft resolution goes beyond the previous proposal, not only calling for efforts to stop weapons from being deployed in outer space but also for preventing "the threat or use of force in outer space."

The vetoed U.S.-Japan resolution focused solely on weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms, and made no mention of other weapons in space. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the resolution did not go far enough in banning all types of weapons in space. "It is not sufficient to merely prevent the placement of weapons in outer space, but it is also necessary to prevent the threat or use of force in outer space," he told the Security Council.

The Russian draft resolution says efforts should include bans on deploying weapons "from space against Earth, and from Earth against objects in outer space." It is similar to the U.S.-Japan draft in calling on all countries to contribute to the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia of undermining global treaties to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and refusing to engage in substantive discussions around arms control or risk reduction. "Russia has once again used its veto to block a simple, common-sense resolution calling for no arms race in space," she said.

Why this matters: The competing resolutions and Russia's veto highlight the growing tensions and geopolitical rivalries surrounding the militarization of space. As space technology advances, there is an urgent need for enhanced transparency, confidence-building measures, and the development of rules to prevent conflicts in outer space from escalating.

The failure to pass the U.S.-Japan resolution underscores the inherent difficulties in regulating space militarization within the present international legal framework. Russia's push for a more comprehensive approach to address the broader issues of weapons and the use of force in space sets the stage for further diplomatic wrangling at the United Nations. The international community will be closely watching to see if common ground can be found to ensure outer space remains a realm of peaceful exploration and cooperation.

Key Takeaways

• Russia vetoed U.S.-Japan resolution to stop space arms race, proposed broader ban
• Russian draft calls to prevent weapons deployment and use of force in space
• U.S. accused Russia of undermining treaties and refusing arms control discussions
• Competing resolutions highlight growing tensions over space militarization
• Difficulty in regulating space militarization within current legal framework