Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a binding agreement between all the leading space powers, Putin said in video address to the United Nations General Assembly.
"Russia is putting forward an initiative to sign a binding agreement between all the leading space powers that would provide for the prohibition of the placement of weapons in outer space, threat or use of force against outer space objects," he noted.
In his speech, the Russian leader also stated the need to reach comprehensive agreements in the field of international security. "I believe that such reciprocal steps on specific issues would provide a sound basis for launching a serious, profound dialogue on the entire range of factors affecting strategic stability, - Putin said. - It would aim at achieving comprehensive arrangements, shaping a solid foundation for the international security architecture that would build on prior experience in this field and in line with both the existing and future politico-military and technological realia."
The Russian President stressed that "for all the disputes and differences, at times misunderstanding and even distrust on the part of some colleagues, we will consistently advance constructive, uniting initiatives, first of all in arms control and strengthening the treaty regimes existing in this area." "This includes the prohibition of chemical, biological and toxin weapons," he added.
About START-3
Putin believes that the extension of the START is a priority for Russia and the United States. "The issue of primary importance that should and must be promptly dealt with is, of course, the extension of the Russia-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which will expire shortly, i.e. in February 2021. We are engaged in negotiations with our US partners on the matter," the Russian President said.
Putin expects that mutual restraint would be exercised with regard to deploying new missile systems. "I would like to add that as early as last year, Russia declared a moratorium on deploying ground-launched medium and short-range missiles in Europe and other regions as long as the United States of America refrains from such actions. Unfortunately, we have not received any reaction to our proposal from either our US partners or their allies," he complained.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mathias Reding/Unsplash
Based on materials TASS