Russia will end its collaboration with the International Space Station (ISS) unless sanctions imposed to pressure an end to the invasion of Ukraine are lifted.
Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, said on Twitter that the reestablishment of relations in this area with the countries that are part of the ISS will only be possible if a "complete and unconditional lifting" is carried out. of these measures.
US astronaut Jim Newman outside the International Space Station on December 12, 2021. AFP via Getty Images
"The sanctions of the United States, Canada, the European Union and Japan are aimed at blocking the economic/productive activities of our high-tech companies. The objective of these sanctions is to put an end to the Russian economy, to force our people to desperation and hunger, bring our country to its knees," Rogozin said.
German astronaut Matthias Maurer (left) and his American colleague Raja Chari (right) as they leave the International Space Station (ISS) on March 23, 2022.dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
On the social network, the Russian official also published the responses in letters from NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, to his request that the sanctions be lifted.
The web portal The Verge assured that until now it has not been possible to verify the veracity of the documents.
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The suspension of relations would cause a great impact for the ISS, according to Rogozin's statements to journalists broadcast by Russian state television.
Western partners need the ISS, he said, and "
can't get by without Russia, because no one but us can supply the station with fuel."
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According to The Verge, NASA relies on Russia to maintain the position and orientation of the International Space Station and evade space debris orbiting Earth.
Several countries have imposed drastic economic sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
These include more taxes on their imports, the cancellation of some Russian products, the closure of several companies in that country and the seizure of assets from oligarchs.
Rogozin's announcement comes after NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei arrived on Earth on Wednesday after spending 365 days on the ISS.
He landed in a Russian capsule accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anton Shkaplerov, following reports that Russia had threatened to leave him on the station.