(NewsNation) — The United Nations’ Security Council failed to adopt a resolution sponsored by the United States that aimed to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space after Russia vetoed it on Wednesday.

Japan also sponsored the resolution that urged countries not to develop or deploy nuclear arms or other weapons of mass destruction in space. This was already banned under an international treaty from 1967 that included the United States and Russia.

The resolution, according to a United Nations press release, would have “affirmed the obligation of all States parties to fully comply with the Outer Space Treaty, including not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.”

“The prevention of an arms race in outer space would avert a grave danger for international peace and security,” the defeated resolution stated.

However, Russian officials called the resolution a “dirty spectacle,” according to the Associated Press.

A final vote of the Security member showed countries voting in favor of the resolution, with Russia opposed. China abstained from the vote.

Russia and China proposed their own amendment to the United States and Japan’s resolution that would ask countries to “to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.” However, this was unsuccessful, with 7 countries in favor, 7 against, and one abstention.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while introducing the draft text of the resolution, said, “Placing a nuclear weapon into orbit would be unprecedented, unacceptable and deeply dangerous.”

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, however, claimed the resolution was “absolutely absurd and politicized,” and said it didn’t go far enough in banning all types of weapons in space.

“This is a cynical ploy.  We are being tricked,” Nebenzia said. Pointing out that there’s already a ban on weapons of mass destruction in outer space per the treaty, he said the United States and its allies are “‘cherry-picking’ weapons of mass destruction out of all other weapons” in an attempt to “camouflage their lack of interest” in outer space being free from any kinds of weapons.”

After the vote, Thomas-Greenfield said Russia’s “no” was baffling, as its president, Vladimir Putin, already said Moscow does not intend to deploy nuclear weapons in space.

Putin had said this in response to a CNN report from February that was later confirmed by the White House that Russia is trying to develop a nuclear space weapon. This weapon, CNN reported, would be capable of obliterating satellites and potentially disrupting services like cell phone communication and internet access worldwide. While Biden said then that there is no sign that Russia has decided to deploy the weapon, White House officials said they have information indicating Russia has obtained such a capability. This weapon, however, is not yet operational, according to intelligence officials.

“There is no nuclear threat to the people of America or anywhere else in the world with what Russia’s doing at the moment,” Biden told reporters at the time.

On Wednesday, Thomas-Greenfield said Russia’s veto begs the question: “Why?”

“Why, if you are following the rules, would you not support a resolution that reaffirms them?” she asked. “What could you possibly be hiding?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.