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Statement by Mr. Sergii SHUTENKO, Director of the Department General for International Security and Military-technical Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, at the Third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 

                   Cluster 2: Nuclear non-proliferation

(5 May 2025, New York)

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. Our delegation would like to make additional remarks in its national capacity.

Today, the non-proliferation regime is under unprecedented strain. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine — and its actions at Ukrainian nuclear facilities — represent a direct assault on the legal, technical, and moral foundations of the non-proliferation system.

Since 2014 — and with alarming escalation since the full-scale invasion in 2022 —Russia has progressively dismantled the IAEA’s ability to conduct safeguards activities in the occupied territories of Ukraine. This includes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and most gravely, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe’s largest nuclear facility.

Russian forces maintain a militarized presence at ZNPP, complete with explosives and unauthorized armed units. IAEA inspectors are denied unrestricted access and consistent communications.

We reiterate that the Russian Federation must urgently withdraw its military and other personnel from the ZNPP and immediately return the plant to the full control of the sovereign and competent authorities of Ukraine to ensure its safety and security. This will enable the IAEA to conduct safe, efficient, and effective safeguards implementation in accordance with Ukraine’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and Additional Protocol, consistent with the call by the UN General Assembly, IAEA General Conference and Board of Governors.

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine is deeply alarmed by Iran’s continued advancements in uranium enrichment. We regret that Tehran has failed to strengthen its cooperation with the Agency. The removal of IAEA surveillance equipment and the obstruction of independent verification undermine international confidence in Iran’s nuclear programme.

We call on Iran to immediately resume fulfilment of its nuclear-related commitments under the NPT and JCPOA, as well as return the Agency's monitoring and surveillance equipment, and resume application of the Additional Protocol.

Iran has transferred UAVs to Moscow in flagrant violation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), when relevant restrictions were in place. Since 2022, these drones have been used by Russia to terrorize Ukraine’s civilian population, and Moscow has since mastered their own production on its territory.

Ukraine is deeply concerned by the DPRK’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile activities. We urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, return to full compliance with the NPT and the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, and sign and ratify the CTBT.

Since 2023, the DPRK has been supplying the Russian Federation with weapons and ammunition, in flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

Russia continues to actively use North Korea’s arms, including ballistic missiles. Moreover, DPRK soldiers remain engaged in joint operations with Russian troops against Ukraine’s Defense forces.

Ukraine stresses that the deepening of military-technical cooperation between Russia, Iran, and the DPRK poses serious security threats not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the world.

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine is committed to working with all States to further identify and implement measures to minimize the risk of nuclear weapons use and to address ongoing proliferation crises.

Non-proliferation efforts must involve multiple strategies, including strengthening existing arms control treaties such as the NPT and the New START Treaty, while pursuing new agreements, reducing nuclear arsenals, and ultimately eliminating nuclear weapons.

Ukraine stresses the importance of reinforcing the international
non-proliferation regime through robust cooperation and the strengthening of global institutions tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance.

The IAEA plays a vital role in implementing safeguards and ensuring that nuclear materials are not diverted to unauthorized uses. Its work is essential to promoting transparency, building trust, and verifying compliance with non-proliferation commitments.

Finally, Ukraine reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working with the international community to achieve these goals and to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the global non-proliferation regime.

Thank you.