Russia Warns Against Arms Race in Space

Russia warns against the danger of the arms race spilling out into space and hails the BRICS countries' effort to prevent this from happening, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday.

"Russia is resolutely against weapons in space," Ryabkov stated during the opening of the 7th BRICS Academic Forum in Moscow. He also mentioned a series of consultations on space exploration security earlier held by delegations of the five-nation bloc.

Reminding the participants of the No First Placement of Arms in Outer Space initiative presented by Russia at the UN General Assembly, Sergei Ryabkov praised the fellow BRICS members for their well-documented support for Moscow's crucially important proposal.

In 2008, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov submitted, on behalf of Russia and China, to the Geneva Conference on Disarmament a draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects. The document has enjoyed broad international support.

Russia hopes that its recently updated version will create the required foundation for further talks and calls upon all participants to start work on the Russian-Chinese draft as soon as possible.

Source: Sputnik News