International Space Station (ISS). (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Russia’s newly appointed head of space agency Roscosmos Yuri Borisov announced the decision at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, saying the agency will instead focus on building its own orbital station.

The statement was made amid rising tensions between Russia and Western countries over the conflict in Ukraine and numerous sanctions issued against Moscow. According to Borisov, the space sector faces many challenges and Russia will seek to strengthen this field.