Mr. Chair,

Ukraine’s delegation would like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on the election and wish you success in your important mission.

Joint statement 

on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine 

at the General Debate of the First committee 

of the 81^st session of the UN General Assembly

 

I have the honour to deliver a joint statement on behalf of the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, European Union, and my own country, Ukraine.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter and poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to international peace and security, the rules-based international order, and the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s actions, including its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine, which further demonstrates how Russia’s repeated conduct undermines international commitments, peace and security. Russia continues to contravene the principles of the “Helsinki Decalogue” and disregards security assurances it provided in the Budapest Memorandum.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including territorial sea, as well as for Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter against Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression. We stress that no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force may be recognized as lawful.

We strongly condemn Russia's continued attacks, killing civilians and destroying civilian sites, including critical energy infrastructure. We stress that Russia`s repeated attacks seriously undermine the energy security of Ukraine and its people, especially regarding the approaching winter. Such attacks, carried out against the backdrop of international efforts aimed at the restoration of comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, reveals Russia’s real goals and intentions, demonstrating no genuine interest in ending its war of aggression.

We urge Russia to agree to a complete and unconditional ceasefire, as a first step towards restoring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, which must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders, including territorial sea, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. A lasting peace must guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security and ability to defend itself, preventing the threat of the repetition of Russia`s aggression.

We reiterate our demand that Russia cease its war of aggression against Ukraine and ensure the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

 

Mr. Chair, 

We strongly condemn the continued military support provided by Belarus, Iran, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which enables Russia to sustain its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Moreover, Russia’s seizure, occupation and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), combined with its repeated large-scale strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, have significantly increased risks posed to nuclear safety and security, with potential consequences far beyond Ukraine.

In this regard, we condemn the forcible seizure of the ZNPP and would like to recall the UN General Assembly resolution "Safety and Security of Nuclear Facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant", as well as relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) General Conference and Board of Governors, which demand that the Russian Federation urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorized 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 and in order for the IAEA to conduct safe, efficient and effective safeguards implementation.

We firmly reject any attempts to restart the reactors at the ZNPP whilst it remains under Russian occupation and the necessary conditions for safe and secure operation based on well-established nuclear safety principles are not met.

The nuclear safety and security situation at the plant remains extremely fragile. Repeated losses of off-site power, equipment degradation, maintenance constraints, unreliable water supply and shortages of qualified personnel continue to increase the risk of a severe nuclear accident.

The ability of nuclear personnel to carry out their duties professionally, safely and free from undue pressure is fundamental to the safe and secure operation of any nuclear facility. Reports of detention, intimidation, coercion and reprisals against Ukrainian ZNPP employees are therefore deeply troubling and raise concerns about the conditions under which nuclear personnel are expected to perform their duties.

We therefore call for the immediate release of all Ukrainian ZNPP personnel who have been arbitrarily detained. The safe operation of a nuclear power plant depends on experienced and qualified staff, continuity of expertise, and the preservation of institutional knowledge.

We support the continuation of the IAEA’s monitoring missions to all Ukrainian nuclear sites, including the ZNPP, and to substations identified by the Agency as critical for the safety of nuclear power plants.

We express our appreciation for the IAEA’s commitment and for the professionalism and courage of its staff in continuing these missions despite the risks. We also stress the importance of ensuring the IAEA mission’s unrestricted access throughout the ZNPP site.

Russian forces also use the city of Enerhodar and nearby territory for military activities, including attacks against cities of Nikopol and Marhanets across the Dnipro River, creating further risks in the plant’s immediate vicinity.

We reiterate our demand that Russia immediately cease all military activities affecting nuclear facilities and related civilian infrastructure, withdraw its military, equipment and other unauthorized personnel from the ZNPP. The full control over the plant by the competent Ukrainian authorities must be restored immediately.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to accountability for serious violations under international law, including alleged crimes committed in the context of the aggression against Ukraine, and for the extensive damage caused by Russia’s actions.

We urge the international community to use its influence and intensify pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and restore a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Thank you.