Zaharova: The risk of space evolving into a stage for military confrontation continues to rise

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on the 25th local time that the risk of space evolving into a stage for military confrontation continues to rise.

During a routine press conference, Zakharova said that recently, U.S. policies in space development and space security have become increasingly aggressive. U.S. officials have openly declared their intention to ensure U.S. military dominance in near-Earth space, confirming Russia’s assessment that “the security situation in space is rapidly deteriorating, and the risk of space becoming a stage for military confrontation continues to increase.”

Zakharova emphasized that Russia believes any armed conflict in space would have catastrophic consequences for the sustainable space activities and space development prospects of all countries.

She pointed out that, given the current situation, the need to prevent an arms race in space is more urgent than ever, especially the need to develop a legally binding international instrument. She also said that Russia will maintain close cooperation with China and continue to make constructive efforts to safeguard the common interests of all humanity and promote stronger space security.

On June 10, 2014, China and Russia jointly submitted an updated draft of the “Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects” to the plenary session of the Geneva Disarmament Negotiations, proposing to negotiate a new international legal instrument to prevent an arms race and weaponization in outer space.

(Source: CCTV News)