Russia has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would ban nuclear weapons from space. The vote was 13-1 with China abstaining.

The proposal would call on "all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space."

It also called on all nations "to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation".

US officials believe that Russia is developing a space-based, anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, called the move "baffling" in a speech after the vote. 

"Russia has vetoed a straightforward resolution that affirms a legally binding obligation," she the BBC reported. "President Putin himself has said publicly that Russia has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space."

An amendment put forward by China and Russia Wednesday was also rejected.

The amendment suggested an additional paragraph, call on "all States, and above all those with major space capabilities, to take urgent measures to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force in outer space, from space against Earth and from Earth against objects in outer space, and to seek through negotiations the early elaboration of appropriate reliably verifiable legally binding multilateral agreements."

There were seven votes in favor of the amendment and seven against with one abstention.

The UN Security Council is made up of five permanent members - the US, UK, France, China, and Russia.

Each of those countries has veto power over any measure.

There are 10 other members of the committee that rotate among other countries.