The White House evokes a “troubling” Russian anti-satellite weapon, while specifying that it could not cause damage on earth. Washington refuses to say whether or not the weapon has a nuclear capability, mentioned by the American media.
The White House publicly confirmed on Thursday that Russia had obtained an anti-satellite weapon.disturbing“, while specifying that it could not directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said U.S. intelligence had information that Russia obtained an anti-satellite weapondisturbing“, specifying that such a weapon was not operational at present.
“First, this is not an active capability that has been deployed, and while Russia’s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to the security of anyone whether it be” said John Kirby. “It is not a weapon that can be used to attack humans or cause physical destruction on Earth..”
The White House was responding after a vague warning issued Wednesday by the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, who urged the Biden administration to declassify information relating to what he called serious threat to national security.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described claims of a new Russian military capability as a ruse intended to get the U.S. Congress to support aid to Ukraine.
“It is obvious that Washington is trying to force Congress to vote on the aid bill by any means possible“, said Dmitry Peskov in comments relayed by Russian news agencies. “Let’s see what trick the White House will use.
John Kirby said the capability was space-based and would violate the international outer space treaty, which more than 130 countries have signed, including Russia. He would not say whether the weapon had nuclear capability. The treaty prohibits deployment “nuclear weapons or any other type of weapons of mass destruction“in orbit or”stationing weapons in outer space in any other manner“.
The White House said it would seek direct dialogue with the Russians on these issues. While seeking to reassure the Americans, John Kirby recognized that this was a serious matter. “I don’t want to minimize the risk.” admitted the spokesperson.
The Capitol in turmoil
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan briefed lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday on the Russian threat. After the meeting, Turner said Sullivan spoke to lawmakers about the administration’s options for dealing with the threat.
“I think we all came away with the very strong impression that the administration takes this issue very seriously and has a plan in place” said Michael Turner.
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut and ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee called the threat “pretty classic” in terms of national security threats that the Intelligence Committee deals with. .
“This is not a threat for today, tomorrow, next week or next month” said Jim Himes.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who also attended Thursday’s meeting with Jake Sullivan, said lawmakers raised concerns about the threat to the Biden administration last month and that they had requested a meeting with Joe Biden to discuss it. He described Thursday’s meeting as “instructive” and said Jake Sullivan assured leaders that the White House would remain in close contact with lawmakers on the matter.
“This is not a matter that can be delayed” said Mike Johnson. “This is an issue that we must address seriously and immediately, and that is what we are doing.”
White House officials said the U.S. intelligence community was concerned about broad declassification of intelligence. The United States knows that Russia has been seeking to acquire an anti-satellite capability for several months, if not several years. Joe Biden has been regularly briefed on this issue by his national security team, including last Thursday.
Some far-right members of Congress and allies of former President Donald Trump have claimed that information about the Russian threat was only released to help President Joe Biden pass additional funding for the war effort of Ukraine, as well as funding for Israel and Taiwan. A $95 billion package including aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
