The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the North Atlantic Council condemned on Friday 19 November Russia’s conduct of a kinetic anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon test against one of its satellites on 15 November, causing extensive space debris (see EUROPE 12834/26).
This firing “constitutes a clear act of irresponsible behaviour in space”, Mr Borrell said on behalf of the EU, adding that this “threatening behaviour carries a high risk of miscalculation and escalation and undermines stability in space”.
According to him, the conduct of such tests is dangerous and highly destabilising, as it can lead to a deterioration of trust between space actors and increase threat perceptions. “This could lead to potential catastrophic consequences”, he warned.
Mr Borrell called on all States, including Russia, to refrain from further such tests and to contribute constructively to UN efforts to develop norms, rules and principles for responsible behaviour in space, adding that there was an urgent need to move forward with discussions and to implement these norms.
A similar request has been made by the North Atlantic Council. The Council said that the Russian firing had been “reckless and irresponsible” and that Russian actions showed “an irresponsible pattern of behaviour”. According to the Council, these actions endanger security interests as well as economic, scientific and commercial interests of all countries and actors seeking to explore and use outer space for peaceful purposes. “This dangerous behaviour is in direct contradiction with Russia’s assertions that it is opposed to the ‘weaponisation’ of space and undermines the rules-based international order”, the Council said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)