The United States and Japan have jointly proposed a U.N. Security Council resolution urging all nations to refrain from deploying or developing nuclear weapons in space, announced U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Monday.
Emphasizing the unprecedented danger of placing nuclear weapons in orbit around Earth, Thomas-Greenfield stressed the necessity of upholding peace in outer space.
This initiative comes in response to the recent White House confirmation of Russia’s acquisition of an anti-satellite weapon capability, although it is not yet operational.
Ban on Nuclear Weapons in Outer Space (Credits: International Atomic Energy Agency)
Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Moscow has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, claiming that the country’s space capabilities are similar to those of the United States.
The Outer Space Treaty, ratified by around 114 countries, including the U.S. and Russia, prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in orbit, as well as the stationing of weapons in outer space in any manner.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, chairing the council meeting, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in outer space, echoing the agreement reached during the Cold War era to prevent the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
Thomas-Greenfield called on all parties to the treaty to commit to the ban on nuclear and other destructive weapons in outer space, urging non-signatory states to accede to it promptly. The U.S. aims to collaborate with other Security Council members to achieve consensus on the resolution.
Ban on Nuclear Weapons in Outer Space (Credits: South China Morning Post)
However, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky criticized the proposed resolution as a “propaganda stunt” by the U.S., describing it as politicized and divorced from reality.
He expressed skepticism about the resolution’s wording, suggesting that it lacked expert input and was not discussed in relevant international forums.
Outside the Security Council, Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the U.S.’s willingness to engage with treaty parties to enhance confidence in compliance with the ban on nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in outer space.
She also reaffirmed the U.S.’s readiness to engage in bilateral arms control discussions with Russia and China without preconditions. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefed the council, highlighting the escalating risk of nuclear warfare due to geopolitical tensions and mistrust.
He emphasized the importance of preventing a nuclear doomsday scenario, referencing the movie “Oppenheimer,” which vividly portrayed the harsh reality of nuclear warfare. Guterres urged concerted efforts to avoid such a catastrophic outcome for humanity.
