Check against delivery

Explanation of Vote 

before the Vote 

by the Delegation of Ukraine 

on the draft resolution 

“Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of 

the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of 

Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”

(28 October 2026, New York)

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine wishes to explain its position before the vote on the draft resolution L.19 entitled “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”.

Ukraine will vote in favour of this draft resolution, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), its full and effective implementation, and the absolute prohibition of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances.

We believe that the draft resolution reflects the objectives of the Convention, relevant developments within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the serious challenges facing the international chemical weapons disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Of particular importance to Ukraine are operative paragraphs 2 and 3, which directly address the use of toxic chemicals by the Russian Federation in the course of its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine welcomes the retention of these important provisions from the previous resolution, reaffirming the international community's continued attention to Russia's violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

In particular, operative paragraph 2 expresses grave concern about allegations of the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare by the Russian Federation, in violation of Article I, paragraph 5, of the Convention.

It also urges the OPCW to continue closely monitoring the situation and remain ready to investigate the matter as appropriate. Furthermore, it acknowledges the requests for clarification submitted under Article IX of the Convention, subsequent discussions within the OPCW Executive Council, and the technical assistance provided to Ukraine.

We equally attach particular significance to operative paragraph 3, which notes with grave concern the findings of three consecutive OPCW Technical Assistance Visits, conducted at Ukraine's request, with reports issued on 18 November 2024, 14 February 2025 and 20 June 2025.These reports confirmed the presence of 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, commonly known as CS, in samples collected from locations along the confrontation lines in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine.

The presence of CS was independently verified by OPCW-designated laboratories in munition fragments, environmental samples and components of first-person-view drones.

Mr. Chair,

These findings are particularly alarming against the background of Russia's continued and widespread use of hazardous chemical substances against Ukrainian defence and security forces.

Since February 2023, Ukraine has documented more than 14,000 instances of the use of munitions containing hazardous chemicals by Russian forces, including chloropicrin.

The scale and recurrence of these incidents demonstrate a systematic pattern of violations of the fundamental prohibitions enshrined in the Chemical Weapons Convention.

We commend the professionalism, impartiality and technical expertise of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and reaffirm our full support for its work.

Ukraine continues to cooperate closely with the OPCW, including by documenting incidents, collecting evidence and facilitating technical assistance activities in accordance with the Organisation's established standards.

However, establishing the facts must be followed by concrete steps towards accountability.

Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, including perpetrators, organisers and sponsors, must be identified and held accountable.

In this regard, we underscore the importance of further technical assistance by the OPCW, within its existing mandate, to support Ukraine's national investigations and facilitate the identification of those responsible.

Mr. Chair,

The Chemical Weapons Convention establishes an unequivocal prohibition that applies to all States Parties, without exception.

No military objective, political consideration or circumstance can justify the use of chemical weapons or riot control agents as a method of warfare.

Ukraine remains fully committed to its obligations under the Convention and to strengthening international cooperation aimed at preventing the re-emergence and use of chemical weapons.

By voting in favour of this resolution, Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to upholding the integrity of the Convention, supporting the OPCW, and ensuring that violations of its fundamental prohibitions do not go unpunished and that those responsible are not allowed to act with impunity.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.