The United States and Russia are preparing for a clash at the United Nations Security Council this Wednesday over nuclear weapons in space. The council is scheduled to decide on a resolution proposed by the US, urging countries to hinder any arms escalation beyond Earth's atmosphere. There is a high chance that Russia will use its veto power against the resolution, according to reports from Reuters, based on signals from various diplomats.

Notably, the US move comes after it accused Moscow of developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon to put in space, an allegation that Russia’s defense minister has flatly denied.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Japan’s UN Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki said in a joint statement on Friday that they've been engaged in negotiations with Security Council members regarding the draft text for six weeks.

As per the Reuters report, the resolution underscores the commitment of states to adhere to the Outer Space Treaty, saying, “to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space”. 

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits signatories, including Russia, and the US, from stationing nuclear weapons or any other forms of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit. 

Russia and China are planning to first put an amendment to a vote in the council. The amendment echoes a 2008 proposal by the pair for a treaty banning “any weapons in outer space” and threats “or use of force against outer space objects.”

However, as per the report, the diplomats anticipate that the amendment will not gather enough support. 

Both the amendment and the draft resolution require a minimum of nine affirmative votes and no vetos from Russia, China, the US, UK, or France for adoption. 

Deputy Russian UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy informed Reuters that, according to an amendment they proposed, rooted in a General Assembly resolution from December 2023, the text proposed by the US would be prejudiced, harmful, and politicised. Polyanskiy stated that without their proposed changes, it could potentially weaken the legal framework established by the Outer Space Treaty.

“Without our amendment, based on the General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2023, the text tabled by the US will be unbalanced, harmful and politicised,” Polyanskiy was quoted as saying by Reuters. 

“All questions relating to this sphere should be considered by the full membership of States Parties to this Treaty and not by the UN Security Council members only,” he added. 

According to sources familiar with intelligence findings cited by Reuters, US intelligence officials hold the belief that Russia has a space-based nuclear weapon capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation upon detonation. Such a weapon could potentially disrupt vast satellite networks.

However, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby clarified, “Russia has not yet deployed such a weapon”. 

In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Moscow’s opposition to the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. 

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