Russia says to respond to U.S. moves on space militarization

Russia will have to take reciprocal and asymmetrical measures in response to possible threats brought by intentions of the United States to use outer space for military purposes, a Russian military official said Saturday.

According to the chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the U.S. intentions to use space for military purposes, in particular, the decision to form a Space Force, create prerequisites for the militarization of outer space.

“All these actions may lead to a sharp aggravation of the military and political situation, and Russia will have to respond to the emergence of military threats with similar and asymmetric measures,” Gerasimov was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying at a defense strategy conference.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a directive that directs the Pentagon to draft legislation on creating a U.S. Space Force, which is seen by the White House as “a bold, strategic step towards guaranteeing American space dominance.”

In addition, Gerasimov said that the destruction of agreements on arms control leads to “erosion of strategic stability,” warning that the United States could withdraw from more pacts after its decision on the pullout from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia.