US to propose to Russia to support UN resolution against nuclear weapons in space
White House spokesman John Kirby (photo: Getty Images)
The administration of US President Joe Biden is pushing Russia to support a resolution in the UN Security Council warning against the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit. This comes in response to information suggesting that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may be planning to do so, according to Bloomberg.
"We have heard President Putin say that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space," White House spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday
"So we look forward to Russia voting in favor of this resolution. There should be no reason why not, and if they do, then I think that should open up some really legitimate questions to Mr. Putin about what his intentions really are," he added.
The resolution, authored by the US and Japan, emphasizes that countries should not develop or deploy nuclear weapons or any other kind of weapons of mass destruction designed for placement in orbit.
If adopted, it would confirm expectations that countries must fully comply with their obligations under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.
According to Kirby, the resolution will be put to a vote next week. Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has the right to veto. One of its diplomats already stated in March that the draft was a propaganda trick by Washington.
Threat of Russia deploying nuclear weapons in space
In mid-February, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, warned of a serious threat to US national security, as intelligence indicated that Russia plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed this information, and President Joe Biden instructed his administration to engage in talks with Russia regarding the possible testing of nuclear weapons in space. It was later reported that the White House was attempting to hold secret negotiations with Russia to persuade the Kremlin to abandon testing space-based nuclear weapons.
CNN learned about the details of Russia's development of nuclear space weapons and the potential threats it poses.
