Russia urges treaty to halt space arms race after US admits orbital weapons

During a briefing in Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the United States had not notified Russia about its on-orbit weapons, though the development did not surprise Moscow. He referenced recent comments by US Space Force chief Douglas Schiess, who confirmed that enlisted personnel operate weapons designed to defend against space-enabled attacks. Ryabkov called on the United States and other powers to set aside doubts and work toward a legally binding treaty that would prohibit the deployment of offensive weapons in space.

He accused the United States and its allies, particularly the United Kingdom, of fabricating arguments to avoid such a treaty and of accusing Russia of destabilising actions. Nevertheless, Ryabkov maintained that there is still an opportunity to create a framework that prevents an arms race and reduces the risk of conflict beyond Earth’s atmosphere.