Russia can implement its part of ExoMars project on its own or in partnership with friendly nations - Roscosmos

MOSCOW. July 12 (Interfax) - Roscosmos has yet to receive a formal notice from the European Space Agency (ESA) on its decision to stop cooperation under the ExoMars 2022 project and regrets such a decision, the state corporation said.

"The Russian side has not yet received the ESA official notice of the full termination of our cooperation on the ExoMars-2022 project, so all one can react to is the Twitter diplomacy," the press service said.

"It's such a pity that for Europe, the search for signs of life on Mars turned out to be less important than the political ambitions of certain European officials and countries. Russia can implement its part of the ExoMars project at the national level or by enlisting partners from friendly countries," the statement said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Aschbacher said that ESA is terminating previously suspended cooperation on the ExoMars program with Roscosmos.

"Council mandated me to officially terminate the currently suspended cooperation with Roscosmos on the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform mission," Aschbacher said on a social network.