In the chambers of the United Nations, a proposition spearheaded by the United States and Japan has been unveiled, urging all nations to refrain from the deployment or advancement of nuclear armaments in the vast expanse of space, as declared by the U.S. ambassador on Monday.
Addressing the assembly, Linda Thomas-Greenfield articulated that the introduction of nuclear weaponry into the Earth’s orbit would constitute an unprecedented, perilous, and intolerable act.
The proclamation of the joint resolution between the U.S. and Japan comes in the wake of recent White House affirmation regarding Russia’s acquisition of a disconcerting anti-satellite armament capability, albeit still non-operational.
Subsequently, Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed that Moscow harbors no intentions of stationing nuclear armaments in space, asserting that the nation’s space capabilities are akin to those of the United States.
Enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, ratified by approximately 114 nations including the United States and Russia, lies a prohibition against the deployment of nuclear armaments or any form of weapons of mass destruction in orbital trajectories or the positioning of armaments in outer space through any means.
During the council’s deliberation, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, serving as chair, emphasized the imperative of preserving the peaceful nature of outer space, even amidst the adversarial backdrop of the Cold War era. She stressed the necessity of upholding the proscription against introducing weapons of mass destruction into orbit.
Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the imperative for all signatories of the treaty to pledge adherence to the prohibition of nuclear and other destructive armaments, urging non-signatory member states to promptly accede to it.
Expressing anticipation for collaborative discourse, she conveyed the United States’ eagerness to foster consensus among the Security Council’s member nations regarding the proposed resolution.
In response, Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky cast aspersions on the resolution, branding it a mere ploy by Washington, characterized by politicization and detachment from reality.
Outside the purview of the Security Council, Thomas-Greenfield affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to engaging with treaty signatories to enhance confidence in compliance with the prohibition on nuclear armaments and other weapons of mass destruction in outer space.
She articulated the United States’ contemplation of strategies to prevent the clandestine deployment of nuclear armaments in orbit and expressed intent to engage with fellow states parties as these strategies evolve.
Furthermore, Thomas-Greenfield restated the United States’ willingness to engage Russia and China in bilateral arms control discussions without preconditions.
In contrast, Polyansky accused the Western bloc of endeavoring to inflict strategic setbacks upon Russia, stipulating that any interaction hinges upon a recalibration of the U.S. and NATO’s antagonistic stance towards Russia.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, providing an overview to the council, remarked on the heightened geopolitical tensions and mistrust, exacerbating the risk of nuclear conflict to levels unseen in decades.
He alluded to the impact of the film “Oppenheimer,” which depicted the harrowing reality of nuclear Armageddon under the stewardship of Robert Oppenheimer during World War II, asserting that humanity cannot endure a sequel to such devastation.
