Russia is stopping its collaboration with the Western-led nations on the International Space Station (ISS) until sanctions are lifted amid the Ukraine crisis.
In a lengthy official statement released by the head of Roscosmos, a Russian space agency, Dmitry Rogozin, he explained the agency’s decision, ending its cooperation with the West.
“I believe that the restoration of normal relations between partners in the International Space Station and other joint projects is possible only with the complete and unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions.” Rogozin said.
Rogozin also stated that he would submit a “timetable for the completion of projects” that are currently being worked on to the Kremlin.
The decision to end collaborative efforts with the West came weeks after the agency delayed and cancelled some of ISS projects after the US and Western countries strangled the Russian economy and Russian oligarchs with crippling sanctions.
Just this year, Rogozin announced the possible ending of the country’s collaborations with the West and even warned the Western countries of the potential crash of the ISS into the Earth.
“Who would save the ISS?” He asked.
However, Elon Musk vowed that SpaceX would keep the ISS from falling onto the Earth.
