Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that Moscow has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, asserting that Russia’s space capabilities are comparable to those of the United States.
Putin’s declaration, made on Tuesday, comes in response to recent claims by the White House alleging Russia’s possession of a concerning anti-satellite weapon capability, despite it not yet being operational.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House national security, stated that such a weapon would violate the international Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in space.
While the White House intends to address these concerns directly with Russia, Putin reiterated Russia’s firm opposition to the deployment of nuclear weapons in space, calling for adherence to existing agreements in this domain.
Putin dismissed the accusations as part of Western “clamor” and emphasized Russia’s repeated proposals for enhanced cooperation in space, which he claims have been overlooked by the West.
During a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin underscored that Russia has developed space capabilities similar to those of other nations, including the US, and denied any deployment of nuclear weapons or their components for satellite targeting.
Shoigu suggested that the White House’s allegations could be a ploy to pressure Congress to support aid for Ukraine and to coax Russia back into nuclear arms control talks, which it suspended amid tensions over Ukraine.
While Putin did not rule out future contacts with the US, he expressed skepticism, citing Washington’s conflicting stances of seeking Russia’s strategic defeat in Ukraine while also pursuing dialogue on strategic stability.
Putin’s remarks highlight the complexities of diplomatic relations amid ongoing tensions, with efforts towards dialogue complicated by broader geopolitical agendas.
