After Russia invaded Ukraine, the space station became one of the few areas of cooperation between the two countries.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said it was disappointing that Russia would not extend the agreement on the space station.
– It is unfortunate because of the scientific work that was done on the International Space Station, he said.
The international terminal is a collaboration between the USA, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan and is nearing the end of its term of operation. The project is initially set to expire after 2024, but NASA said its life could be extended until 2030.
We will build a private space station
Russia pledges to abide by all agreements already concluded.
– Yuri Borisov said in a conversation with President Vladimir Putin, Tuesday, that – of course we will fulfill all the obligations that we have to our partners, but the decision to leave the station after 2024 was made.
Borisov is the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
By 2024, the Russians will be working on building their own space station, according to the Kremlin. However, many believe that this will be very difficult for Russia, especially if the West continues to impose sanctions on the country.
Support Putin
The International Space Station was commissioned in 1998. It was at a time when an optimistic view of the relationship between the United States and Russia, and the cessation of ISS cooperation, stood in stark contrast to the space race during the Cold War.
On July 4, three Russian cosmonauts stood aboard the space station with the flag of the Luhansk People’s Republic occupied by Russian forces. In February, it was speculated whether Russian cosmonauts were expressing support for Ukraine when they were dressed in yellow and blue uniforms.
The United States has not received official confirmation from Russia that it will leave the space station. The director of the International Space Station at the US space agency, Robin Gatins, says they absolutely do not want to stop cooperating with Russia.
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