Russia’s veto of the United Nations Security Council resolution to ban nuclear weapons in outer space marks a significant escalation in the militarization of space. This action driven by Russia’s development of a severe nuclear anti-satellite weapon poses risks to global security and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive international treaties to prevent the weaponization of outer space.

In April 2024, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that aimed to reinforce the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in space. The resolution, sponsored by the United States and Japan, was in response to intelligence reports indicating that Russia is developing a nuclear anti-satellite weapon. This veto and the underlying developments suggest a profound shift in the dynamics of space security and international arms control.

The resolution was intended to prevent the deployment of nuclear weapons in outer space, a move seen as critical for maintaining global security and ensuring the peaceful use of space. The resolution received broad support from 13 member nations, with China abstaining and Russia casting the sole veto. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the resolution as a “dirty spectacle” and a “cynical........

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