Russia Warns West Against New Arms Race
In 2025, Putin and China's Xi Jinping had already called the U.S.'s proposed Golden Dome shield a "threat to strategic stability."
Russia's UN envoy has cautioned that President Donald Trump's new defense plans, particularly the Golden Dome missile shield, could spark a new space arms race and pose a catastrophic threat to global security. Gennady Gatilov stated that the consequences would be devastating for humanity. While militaries worldwide currently utilize satellites for intelligence, communication, missile warnings, and navigation, weaponizing space has long been a contentious issue.
The Golden Dome's design includes orbiting interceptors and early-warning sensors in space, though the U.S. government has not disclosed detailed plans. White House spokespersons assert that the project aims to maintain America's leadership in space, citing the need to counter advanced ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. However, critics argue that the project's prohibitive costs—estimated at $1.2 trillion over 20 years—may make it ineffective against a full-scale attack by powers such as Russia or China.
North Korea and China have also expressed skepticism, viewing the program as a threat to strategic stability and an expression of arrogance. The U.S. Space Force aims to demonstrate an initial capability by 2028, and Canada is reportedly considering joining the defense network, despite potential financial implications. The Pentagon's new defense strategy emphasizes the system's focus on countering sophisticated aerial threats, including drones.
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