RUSSIA HAS NO INTENTION OF PUTTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN SPACE, PUTIN SAYS

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu denied the allegations made by the US

Wed 21 February 2024:

Declaring that Moscow does not want to use nuclear weapons in space, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that his nation has merely developed space capabilities that are comparable to those of the United States.

Putin’s remarks on Tuesday correspond with the White House’s claim from the previous week that Russia had acquired a “troubling” anti-satellite weapon capability, despite the fact that the weapon is not yet operational.

“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.”

He called the accusations part of a “clamour being raised in the West”.

Putin said Russia has “many times suggested to strengthen joint cooperation in the [space] sphere but for some reason, in the West, this topic has not come up again”.

Speaking during a meeting with his defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, Putin noted that Russia has only developed space capabilities that “other nations, including the US, have”.

“And they know it,” he said.

“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.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said it would violate the international Outer Space Treaty, but declined to comment on whether the weapon was 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 about the concerns.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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