The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the escalating risk of outer space becoming a battleground for conflict.
“We see an increasing threat of outer space serving as a launchpad for aggression and war,” Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Konstantin Vorontsov said at a meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
“Certain Western countries are openly advancing plans to deploy weapons in space,” he added, pointing to the United States as a prime example – as part of its initiative that is focused on the comprehensive development of missile defense systems, including orbital interception capabilities, according to (TASS) news agency.
Vorontsov warned that such developments could lead to “a significant destabilization of the current situation and spark an arms race in outer space.”
Vorontsov emphasized that preventing a full-scale arms race remains within reach. He called for the development of universal, legally binding norms that would prohibit the placement of weapons in space and the use of force against space assets.
He highlighted Russia’s efforts in this regard, including the updated Russian-Chinese draft treaty aimed at preventing the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as an international initiative advocating for no first deployment of weapons in space. Notably, 37 countries have already joined this initiative.
Vorontsov also announced that Russia has submitted three draft resolutions on space security to the First Committee, urging all nations to support these proposals.
