White House Calls Russian UN Veto on Space Nuclear Arms Pact a 'Worldwide Societal Threat'

The White House has called Russia's veto of the UN Security Council resolution on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in outer space a "threat to society around the world".

This is stated in the official release of the White House in a statement by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The US Presidential Advisor reminded that the proposed resolution would call on all member states not to develop nuclear weapons specifically designed to be placed into space orbit.

"The placement of nuclear weapons in orbit by a state party would not only violate the Outer Space Treaty, but would also jeopardise the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial and national security services that all satellites provide to societies around the world," the statement said.

Sullivan also recalled that the US has evidence that Russia is developing a satellite capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

"We have heard President Putin publicly state that Russia has no intention of placing nuclear weapons in space. If this were the case, Russia would not have vetoed this resolution," he concluded.

Earlier, Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution against the proliferation of weapons, including nuclear weapons, in outer space.

The United States has privately warned Russia against deploying new nuclear weapons in space that could disable many satellites.

Officially, the United States informed the Congress and allies in Europe of new intelligence related to Russia's nuclear capabilities that could pose an international threat.