STATEMENT

by H.E. Dr. Andrii Melnyk, LL.M.,

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations

at the UN General Assembly plenary debate on the use of the veto

(16 April 2026)

Madam President,

Distinguished Members,

Let me, at the outset, express Ukraine’s solidarity with the Gulf countries and all those affected by Iran’s missile and drone terror, and extend our condolences to the victims.

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement of the European Union; at the same time, I wish to make a few additional important remarks on behalf of my country.

The Security Council has — regrettably — once again failed to act decisively in the face of a serious threat to international peace and security.

It has failed to ensure the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz and safeguarding freedom of navigation as well as safe, free passage of ships.

Despite receiving eleven votes in favor, the respective draft resolution proposed by Bahrain was not adopted because of the veto exercised by two permanent members of the Council.

This failure sends a devastating signal. It undermines our collective efforts to guarantee the stability of global supply chains and energy security.

This is not just a stab in the back of all countries suffering directly from Iranian attacks and relying on unimpeded shipments from the region.

Since the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical blood vessels of the global economy, Iran’s illegal blockade does threaten the security of the entire planet.

Tehran must not be allowed to endanger international navigation and destabilize global markets through its pirate attacks.

Madam President,

Let us be honest about the broader context.

Iran is not acting alone.

It is Russia that is complicit in enabling Tehran’s illegal acts and war crimes, not just against the Gulf countries providing Iran with deadly drones and intelligence, but also against maritime security.

This complicity is the main reason why Russia once again abused its veto power and cynically blocked the respective draft resolution of the Security Council.

We have just heard the explanation by the Russian representative of the reasons why it has vetoed it.

Well, they are not really convincing. This is pure hypocrisy. Trying to portray itself as a “big friend and advocate” of the Global South, Russia has de facto voted in favor of the destruction of global supply chains of critical commodities.

The steep rise of prices for fertilizers because of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not just a slap in the face of the Global South. It is a severe blow to the underbelly of their economies.

So let us be clear: Russia has vetoed the draft resolution just because it is the main ally of Iran and an accomplice of Tehran’s illegal acts.

But apart from this malicious complicity there is another reason why Russia has chosen to bury this draft resolution and choke off the freedom of navigation in Hormuz.

The reason is very simple: it is Russia that has benefited most from the disruptions to global energy markets.

The skyrocketing prices for oil and gas have generated extraordinary windfall revenues for Moscow.

In March alone, the blockade injected an additional about 9 billion US dollars into Russia’s war chest, allowing it to continue its military invasion against Ukraine and bombing our cities like it did again this night, murdering 16 innocent civilians, including the heartbreaking loss of children’s lives and injuring over 100 persons.

So, the question is: why should Moscow be interested in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz if it can further profit from the blockade at the cost of developing countries?

As we see, Russia is the biggest beneficiary of this chaos in the Middle East.

So why should it stop it?

Putin is just rubbing his hands with glee, salivating at the prospect of additional astronomical gains.

Madam President,

Let me remind the Assembly that four years ago the international community faced similar vicious tactics of Russia in the Black Sea.

The Russian navy introduced a blockade of Ukrainian ports, intentionally disrupting global food supplies and weaponizing hunger as a tool of war.

Those actions affected not only Ukraine but hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

This time, we see a similar pattern, but on an even broader, more brutal scale.

The Russian veto is yet another example of how this instrument is being misused again and again as a tool of obstruction.

Its abuse erodes trust in the UN and weakens the entire system.

That is why Ukraine strongly supports meaningful Security Council reform, including limitations on the use of veto in cases of aggression, mass atrocities, and grave violations of international humanitarian law.

We also commend the General Assembly for taking a more active role when the Council is deadlocked.

Distinguished delegates,

Let us not be deceived:

it is not just Iran; it is the axis of evil between Tehran and Moscow, and their coordinated illegal actions in and around the Strait of Hormuz constitute one of the biggest threats to international peace and security.

Iran must immediately cease all attacks and abandon any attempts to block this vital maritime route.

Ukraine supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation and de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.

We remain fully committed to contributing to these efforts, including through practical support on the ground and close cooperation with partners in the region.

I thank you.