Russia Vetoes UN Resolution , to Prevent Nukes in Space.<br />The resolution was sponsored <br />by Japan and the United States.<br />It called on all nations to refrain from developing or deploying nuclear weapons "or other weapons of mass destruction in space," 'The Guardian' reports. .<br />A 1967 international treaty <br />already bans such weapons in space.<br />Russia’s U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, <br />vetoed the resolution, calling it "absolutely absurd and politicized," as well as a "dirty spectacle.".<br />China abstained from voting, while the rest of the 15-member council voted in favor of the resolution. .<br />Today’s veto begs the question: <br />Why? Why, if you are following the <br />rules, would you not support a <br />resolution that reaffirms them? <br />What could you possibly be hiding, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., via 'The Guardian'.<br />Russia and China would rather establish an <br />amendment calling on all nations "to prevent for <br />all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.".<br />We want a ban on the placement of <br />weapons of any kind in outer space, not <br />just WMDs [weapons of mass destruction]. <br />But you don’t want that. And let me ask <br />you that very same question. Why?, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Nebenzia went on to say, "if we recall that the U.S. and their allies announced some time ago plans to place weapons … in outer space.".<br />The U.S.-Japan resolution was announced in March after it was determined that Russia was in possession of "a 'troubling' anti-satellite weapon capability," 'The Guardian' reports.<br />However, earlier this year, Putin said, , "Our position is clear and transparent: We have always been categorically against and are now against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space."
