The UN Security Council has rejected Russia’s drafted UNSC resolution on the prevention of the build-up of weapons in outer space.
The resolution called on all countries to prevent “for all time” the placement, threat, or use of any weapons in outer space. It was put forward on Monday.
The 15-member body was split over the move. Seven members voted in favour and seven against while one abstained. The draft resolution needs to get nine votes to be passed.
However, a veto can be cast by the US, Russia, China, Britain, or France. This is even if the draft gets at least nine votes.
The Russian-drafted resolution, mirrors a resolution put forward by the US and Japan last month. That resolution focused on specific weapons of mass destruction. On the other hand, the Russian one focused on all types of weapons.
Russia had vetoed the US-Japan sponsored resolution.
The US has accused Russia of introducing the resolution because it sought to distract from the development of a recent satellite. Washington has accused Russia of “weaponising space.”
Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood said before the vote that Russia was developing “a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.” Wood said the satellite was launched into space in low earth orbit on Thursday. He believed it was most likely a “counterspace weapon.”
Russia and the US are signatories to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The treaty prevents any nation from placing objects that could be classified as “nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction.”
Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the vote a “unique moment of truth for our Western colleagues.” He denied the US allegations that his nation was trying to mislead the world.
(REUTERS)
