Statement of the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andrii Melnyk, LL.M., at the informal meeting on the intergovernmental negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council

(21 January 2026)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

The delegation of Ukraine expresses its appreciation to the delegations of the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their stewardship of the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations on the increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council.

Ukraine reiterates its consistent and principled position on issues of equitable and cross-regional representation.

My delegation firmly believes that enhancing the representativeness and balance of the Security Council is indispensable to adapting the United Nations to the geopolitical realities of the twenty-first century and to restoring confidence in this body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Ukraine attaches equal importance to both key dimensions of reform: the enlargement of the Security Council and the improvement of its working methods.

Our overarching position on enlargement is clear: a reformed Security Council must remain functional, effective, and credible, and must be fully capable of discharging its primary responsibility under the Charter.

Ensuring balanced representation, while at the same time enabling the Security Council to respond to the most pressing threats to international peace and security, must remain at the core of our deliberations within the IGN process.

Furthermore, Ukraine underscores that any reform of the Security Council must be conducted in full conformity with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter.

Distinguish Co-Chairs,

With regard to the enlargement of the Council, Ukraine recognizes the persistent geographical imbalance in its current composition and supports increased representation of developing countries, in particular from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

At the same time, the Group of Eastern European States remains one of the most underrepresented regional groups in the Security Council, with only one non-permanent seat allocated to 22 Member States.

Consequently, a fundamental and longstanding element of Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: any increase in the non-permanent membership of the Security Council must include enhanced representation for the Eastern European Group.

And out last point: Ukraine stresses that all deliberations on the enlargement of the Security Council—whether concerning its size or regional representation—risk losing their credibility, legitimacy, and practical relevance if a reformed Council continues to include the Russian Federation.

Russia that has committed the crime of aggression against another Member State and keeps committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against the civilian population in Ukraine does not deserve the permanent seat on the Security Council that it has acquired based on highly questionable legal grounds.

I thank you.