NATO Warns of Possible Russian Nuclear Space Weapon Deployment

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed concerns over Russia's potential deployment of nuclear weapons in space, warning that it would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and exacerbate tensions in an already crowded and unpredictable domain. As the New START Treaty approaches expiration in February, the future of nuclear arms reduction between the U.S. and Russia remains uncertain, especially with Moscow's suspension of participation and ongoing military aggression in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautioned that if not contained, Putin's ambitions could extend to seizing NATO territory, possibly escalating into a global conflict. Dmitry Medvedev, a key Kremlin figure, indicated that the risk of nuclear conflict is at an all-time high, while suggesting that more countries may acquire nuclear weapons as a result of Western actions in Ukraine. This backdrop of increasing nuclear tensions highlights the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader arms race and potential war. Experts warn that China’s rapid advancements in technology add another layer of complexity to the international security landscape.