US, Japan sponsor UN resolution to prohibit nuclear weapons in space

In a UN Security Council meeting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced the sponsorship of a resolution urging all nations to refrain from deploying or developing nuclear weapons in space.

Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the unprecedented danger of placing nuclear weapons into Earth's orbit, labelling such actions as unacceptable, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Guardian.

This initiative comes in response to recent concerns raised by the White House regarding Russia's acquisition of an anti-satellite weapon capability, although it has not yet been operationalized. The resolution aligns with the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in space.

During the council meeting chaired by Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, it was highlighted that maintaining the peaceful nature of outer space is essential, even in times of heightened geopolitical tensions. Kamikawa stressed the importance of upholding the prohibition on placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit.

Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the necessity for all parties to the treaty to commit to banning nuclear and other destructive weapons in space and urged member states not yet party to the treaty to accede without delay. Additionally, she expressed the willingness of the US to engage with Russia and China on bilateral arms control issues, without preconditions.

However, Russia's Deputy US Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky condemned the proposed resolution, labelling it as a propaganda stunt by Washington and criticized its wording, arguing that it had not been discussed at specialized international platforms.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefed the council, highlighting the escalating risk of nuclear warfare due to geopolitical tensions. Guterres referenced the movie "Oppenheimer," which depicted the harsh reality of nuclear warfare, emphasizing that humanity cannot survive a sequel to such devastation.