The message said, in part:
“Russia is ready to set down right away to developing practical measures aimed at preventing the militarisation of outer space.
“It is our duty to maintain peace in outer space. Outer space should remain weapons-free. International activities in outer space reaffirm the need to treat it with care.”
Mr Putin proposed holding a forum against the militarisation of outer space in September 2000 as he addressed the UN Millennium Summit in New York.