Roscosmos Pledges Continued US Cooperation on Russian Space Station

Roscosmos CEO Bakanov says partnership will continue despite geopolitical tensions.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:33am

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An abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric shapes and organic forms in shades of green, blue, and brown, conveying the complex, interconnected systems of space exploration.Despite geopolitical tensions, the US-Russia partnership on the Russian space station endures as a symbol of scientific cooperation transcending earthly conflicts.Frisco Today

Roscosmos, Russia's state space corporation, has confirmed it will maintain its cooperation with the United States on the Russian-led space station project, according to an interview with Roscosmos CEO Yuri Bakanov and TASS news agency CEO Sergey Kondrashov. This announcement comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Why it matters

The continued partnership between Roscosmos and NASA on the Russian space station is seen as an important area of collaboration that has survived the broader deterioration of US-Russia relations in recent years. This agreement signals that both sides recognize the value of maintaining scientific and technological cooperation in space exploration, even as political frictions escalate on Earth.

The details

In the interview, Bakanov stated that Roscosmos will uphold its commitments to the joint space station project, which involves Russian and American astronauts working together. This indicates that despite heightened tensions over issues like the war in Ukraine, both countries are committed to preserving their longstanding space cooperation.

  • The interview with Roscosmos CEO Yuri Bakanov and TASS CEO Sergey Kondrashov was published on April 7, 2026.

The players

Roscosmos

Russia's state space corporation responsible for the country's space program.

Yuri Bakanov

The current CEO of Roscosmos.

Sergey Kondrashov

The CEO of the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

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What they’re saying

“Roscosmos will continue to cooperate with the United States on the Russian Space Station.”

— Yuri Bakanov, CEO, Roscosmos

The takeaway

Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, the continued partnership between the US and Russia on the Russian space station project demonstrates the ability of both countries to maintain critical scientific and technological cooperation even as broader diplomatic relations deteriorate.