As of: February 22, 2024, 4:02 p.m
By: Lisa Mahnke
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Press
Split
Putin says he is “categorically against” nuclear space weapons.
The US secret service is skeptical.
Armament continues on Earth.
Moscow - An assessment by US intelligence officials of Russia's planned nuclear space weapons sent the world into a frenzy.
In a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, President Vladimir Putin said he was “categorically against” nuclear weapons in space and would respect the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
The US remains suspicious.
The treaty, which prohibits the weaponization of outer space, including nuclear options, was agreed on the basis of a declaration by the United Nations and has been signed and ratified by the majority of all states.
“We not only demand compliance with the existing agreements we have in this area, but we have repeatedly proposed to strengthen these joint efforts,” Putin said, according to
Russian state media quoted by the
New York Times .
Armament doctrine in space not practical – Would Putin destroy for the sake of destruction?
Space weapons would allow Putin to disrupt the Starlink satellites through which Ukraine communicates between the government and military.
The weapons would not be intended for urban targets or terrestrial military bases.
The briefing from the US secret service said that such weapons could be fired this year - if not real, then at least as a dummy, without clarifying their (in)authenticity.
According to the BBC
, Joe Biden had
already ordered “direct diplomatic engagement with Russia” on the threat and the USA was already planning countermeasures.
The two Russian government members maintain that they do not want to use nuclear weapons in space.
Meanwhile on Earth, the following applies: armament.
© ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP
However, while armament is underway on Earth, Putin may believe that the armament doctrine of “mutually assured destruction,” that is, peace through a stalemate, does not work in space.
An attack on satellites could trigger a chain reaction of collisions in space.
Despite everything, US intelligence remains skeptical, not least because of Russia's tendency to disregard treaty obligations.
According to the
New York Times
, the report distributed to NATO member states said that the mere idea of massive shock from nuclear space weapons could be worth the loss of his own satellites for the Russian president.
According to
the
New York Times
However, US officials elsewhere acknowledged uncertainties in their own analysis.
“We don't have any of it, and they know we don't have that, but they still make noise,” the Russian defense minister said
in the meeting with Putin, according to
Reuters .
According to Shoigu, there are two reasons for this noise: for funds in the Ukraine war and for a dialogue on strategic stability.
The second point is probably about the New START Treaty, which limits the number of weapons the US and Russia have and expires in two years.
John Kirby, the White House spokesman, rejected the strategic acceptance for Ukraine aid, according to
the BBC
.
Discussions about space - real armament on earth: Putin sets an example for nuclear defense
While potential space weapons are being discussed, Putin sent clear signals on Earth about the importance of a nuclear arsenal in Russia's defense.
During a visit to an aviation factory, Putin boarded a Tu-160M bomber, one of the most modern in the Russian fleet.
The bomber is designed to carry up to two dozen nuclear weapons.
Other potential Putin achievements still in development include a nuclear torpedo that could cross the Pacific without human control.
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Even if it is unlikely in the airspace, at least on Earth the classic understanding of security through armament seems to have arrived again.
The general desire for war capability also became more popular again on the part of a large number of NATO member states.
If Putin's Tu-160M bomber were actually used against NATO states at some point, the defensive strike under Article Five of the NATO Charter would quickly follow.
(lismah)