[FoxNews] The US-led effort received support from 60 member states but Russia's veto nullifies it.A U.S.-led resolution that would prevent using nuclear weapons in outer space received dozens of co-sponsors, but Russia vetoed the measure amid reports it has deployed a weapon that can destroy satellites.
"The detonation of a nuclear weapon in space would destroy satellites that are vital to communications, agriculture, national security, and more worldwide, with grave implications for sustainable development, and other aspects of international peace and security," the U.S. Mission to the United Nations wrote in a press release prior to the vote.
"The diverse group of cosponsors of this resolution reflects the strong shared interest in avoiding such an outcome," the statement read. "We join these Member States in calling on the Security Council to meet this moment today and adopt the resolution unanimously, consistent with its mandate to maintain international peace and security."
The U.S. and Japan presented the resolution to the U.N. Security Council for a vote on Wednesday, but Russia shot the measure down. Prior to the vote, Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky reported that his country's initial impression was that the resolution served as "yet another propaganda stunt by Washington" and called it a "very politicized" effort "divorced from reality," The Associated Press reported.
The draft resolution, which received backing from 60 member states, states that "the prevention of an arms race in outer space would avert a grave danger for international peace and security." It affirms that countries that ratified the 1967 Outer Space Treaty must comply with their obligations.