Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling on all countries to prevent an arms race in space.
The draft resolution, introduced by the US and Japan, sought to reaffirm a principle already established in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The US has warned that Russia is likely developing a space-based, anti-satellite nuclear weapon.
Russia said it was “firmly committed” to the existing treaty.
The draft, submitted on Wednesday, called on “all states, especially those with major space capabilities, to actively contribute to the objective of the peaceful uses of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in space.”
It also called on countries to uphold the Outer Space Treaty, in which all parties agreed “not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects containing nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction.”
Of the council’s fifteen members, thirteen voted in favor, while Russia – one of the five permanent members with a veto – voted against and China abstained.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, called the move “stunning.”
“Russia has vetoed a simple resolution that affirms a legally binding obligation,” she said. ‘President Putin himself has publicly said that Russia has no intention of putting nuclear weapons in space.
“So today’s veto begs the question: Why? If you play by the rules, why not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What could you possibly be hiding?”
In February, White House spokesman John Kirby said Russia was developing a “troubling” new anti-satellite weapon, but added that the weapon was not yet operational.
The weapon was stationed in space and armed with a nuclear weapon to target satellites, CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in response that Moscow was “categorically against” the use of nuclear weapons in space.
More than any of its potential global adversaries, the US depends on satellite communications for everything from military operations and surveillance to civilian uses such as GPS systems and financial transactions.
On Wednesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reiterated the US assessment that “Russia is developing a new satellite with a nuclear device.”
Details about the information behind the claim have not been made public.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “Russia is committed to fulfilling its international legal obligations, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.”
Russian envoy to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, described the US-Japan resolution as a “cynical ploy” with “hidden motives”.
The UN Security Council consists of five permanent members – the US, Britain, France, China and Russia – each with a veto, and ten seats that rotate among the other UN member states.
