Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that Moscow has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space, claiming that the country has only developed space capabilities similar to those of the U.S.
Quick Read
- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia does not plan to deploy nuclear weapons in space and has only developed space capabilities akin to those of the U.S.
- The statement came after the White House revealed Russia’s acquisition of an anti-satellite weapon, described as “troubling” but not yet operational, and potentially violating the Outer Space Treaty.
- The Outer Space Treaty, signed by over 130 countries including Russia, bans the deployment of nuclear weapons or any weapons of mass destruction in space.
- Putin emphasized Russia’s opposition to nuclear weapons in space and called for adherence to existing agreements in this domain.
- During discussions with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin highlighted that Russia’s space capabilities are comparable to those of other nations, including the U.S., and no nuclear weapons or related elements have been deployed in space by Russia.
- Shoigu suggested the White House’s allegations might be aimed at securing congressional support for Ukraine and pushing Russia back into nuclear arms control talks, which have been halted due to tensions over Ukraine.
- Putin did not dismiss future U.S. contacts but indicated that current U.S. and Western demands for Russia’s strategic defeat in Ukraine conflict with the desire for dialogue on strategic stability.
The Associated Press has the story:
Putin says Russia has no intention of putting nuclear weapons in space
Newslooks- MOSCOW (AP) —
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Tuesday that Moscow has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space, claiming that the country has only developed space capabilities similar to those of the U.S.
Putin’s statement follows the White House confirmation last week that Russia has obtained a “troubling” anti-satellite weapon capability, although such a weapon is not operational yet. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said it would violate the international Outer Space Treaty, but declined to comment on whether the weapon is nuclear-capable.
The treaty signed by more than 130 countries, including Russia, prohibits the deployment of “nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction” in orbit or the stationing of “weapons in outer space in any other manner.” The White House said it would look to engage the Russians directly on the concerns.
“Our position is quite clear and transparent: we have always been and remain categorically opposed to the deployment of nuclear weapons in space,” Putin said. “Just the opposite, we are urging everyone to adhere to all the agreements that exist in this sphere.”
Speaking during a meeting with his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, Putin noted that Russia has only developed space capabilities that “other nations, including the U.S. have.”
“And they know it,” he added.
“We haven’t deployed any nuclear weapons in space or any elements of them to use against satellites or to create fields where satellites can’t work efficiently,” Shoigu said.
Shoigu alleged that the White House could have made the allegations of a new Russian space capability in order to force Congress to support aid for Ukraine and also encourage Moscow to reenter nuclear arms control talks that Russia has suspended amid the tensions with the U.S. over Ukraine.
Putin didn’t rule out possible future contacts with the U.S., but reaffirmed his view that Washington’s push for Russia’s defeat in Ukraine makes them impossible for now.
“The U.S. and the West, for one thing, are calling for Russia’s strategic defeat, while, on the other hand, they would like to have a dialogue on strategic stability, pretending that those things aren’t connected,” he said. “It won’t work.”
