Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Russia Says Space Arms Race Can Still Be Prevented
The United States has said that its military operates weapons in space.
A senior Russian official responded that this development was not a surprise.
Sergei Ryabkov said Russia believes countries can still stop a dangerous space arms race.
He proposed a legally binding international treaty.
The treaty would ban offensive weapons and threats of force in space.
Ryabkov said Russia has been watching these military developments.
He also accused the United States and some Western countries of avoiding treaty discussions.
The United States and other countries have expressed skepticism about such an approach, according to Ryabkov.
Russia called for a legally binding treaty banning offensive weapons in outer space.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there is still time to prevent an escalating space arms race.
The United States acknowledged that Pentagon personnel operate weapons in Earth’s orbit.
United States Space Force chief Douglas Schiess said the weapons can defend against space-enabled attacks.
Ryabkov said Russia was not notified about the U.S. capability but had been monitoring related developments.
- Who
- Russia, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and the United States, whose space forces acknowledged operating orbital weapons.
- What
- Russia called for a legally binding treaty banning offensive weapons and threats of force in outer space.
- When
- The comments were reported on September 16, after the United States acknowledged the orbital weapons capability that week.
- Where
- The remarks were made at a news briefing in Moscow; the weapons operate in Earth’s orbit.
- Why
- Russia said a treaty could prevent an arms race and reduce the risk of an open conflict in space.
Treaty Advocates
U.S. and Western Skepticism
How to prevent a space arms race
Treaty Advocates
Russia says countries should negotiate a legally binding treaty prohibiting offensive weapons and threats of force in space.
U.S. and Western Skepticism
Ryabkov said the United States and other Western countries, including the United Kingdom, have been skeptical and have used arguments to avoid moving toward such a treaty.
Meaning of orbital weapons
Treaty Advocates
Russia views the U.S. capability as part of developments that could increase the risk of an arms race and conflict in space.
U.S. and Western Skepticism
The United States says its on-orbit weapons can defend joint military forces against space-enabled attacks.
- Russian official
- Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
- U.S. official
- United States Space Force chief Douglas Schiess
- Proposed measure
- A legally binding international treaty
- Proposed ban
- Deployment or use of offensive weapons and threats of force in space
- U.S. admission
- The Pentagon operates weapons in Earth’s orbit
- Russian position
- It is still possible to prevent an arms race in space
- Location of remarks
- Moscow