Explanation of vote statement in UNGA First Committee on no first placement of weapons in outer space

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ukraine is committed to all aspects of disarmament, including the issues of no placement of any kinds of weapons in outer space.

At the same time, I would like to inform you that my delegation will vote against the Resolution “No first placement of weapons in outer space”. The Resolution submitted by the Russian Federation doesn’t look credible.

Unfortunately, since 2014 and 2015 the situation with Russian aggressive policy doesn’t change. The year of 2016 brought to the international stage even more violent and cruel attacks in Syria, and continued war in the East of Ukraine.

By advertising “no first placement of nuclear weapons in the outer space”, Russian Federation and those who support it draw attention away from the continuous crimes performed by the Kremlin.

Moreover, events of the recent years clearly show that the Russian Federation has already started arms race. After suspension of the CFE Treaty implementation, denunciation of the Treaty on the Russian Black Sea Fleet stationing in Ukraine, the Russian Federation violated the INF and suspended the Plutonium management agreement. Against this background RF conducts large scale military exercisers near the borders of Ukraine and on the Ukrainian occupied territories.

Finally, Russian economy is so exhausted that it is impossible for Moscow to expand up to the Space their plans on the arms race. The draft resolution on No first Placement submitted by Russia is a reservation of their place in the Space for the Arms Race for the future.

If violation of the legally binding treaties is not a problem for RF, violation of its own resolution can also be easily performed.

Thank you.