Check against delivery

 

 

Joint Statement on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine 

at the General Debate of the NPT Review Conference

New York, 27 April 2026

 

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, 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 the security commitments it undertook 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-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter against Russia’s ongoing illegal war of aggression.

We strongly condemn indiscriminate attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths and destruction of critical infrastructure. Such attacks, occurring in parallel with international efforts aimed at a restoration of comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, reveals the real Russia’s goals and intentions, demonstrating no genuine interest in ending its war of aggression.

A complete and unconditional ceasefire could serve as a first step towards achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, which upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and security in accordance with principles of the UN Charter.

We urge Russia to engage meaningfully in diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, which must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders, including territorial sea. 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. International borders must not be changed by force.

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. President,

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.

The ongoing military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including the DPRK’s provision of ballistic missiles and other weapons, as well as the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia in combat operations against Ukraine mark a dangerous expansion of the war with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security and represent flagrant violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

We recall UN Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), including its relevant restrictions, and strongly condemn the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by Iran to Russia. We also recall that, following the activation of the snapback mechanism under resolution 2231, the provisions of previously terminated UN Security Council resolutions on Iran were reinstated, including those establishing an arms embargo. Therefore, we call upon all States to implement relevant restrictive measures, including preventing the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel to and from Iran.

Mr. President,

We meet at a solemn moment, marking the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster — a tragedy that remains a powerful reminder of the critical importance of nuclear safety as an underlining part of the NPT. Today, these lessons are once again being tested, as Russia’s aggression continues to put Ukraine’s nuclear facilities at risk.

We recall that on 10 December 2025 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 80/111 “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster” stressing that the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster in 2026 presents a critical opportunity for all stakeholders to actively commemorate the event and renew their commitment to long-term recovery, resilience and sustainable development.

We reiterate our grave concern over the damage caused by the drone strike on 14 February 2025 against the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant of Ukraine. We stress the importance of continued international support in repairing the New Safe Confinement, which is essential for maintaining global nuclear safety standards and mitigating environmental risks in Ukraine and beyond.

Moreover, Russia’s seizure and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), combined with its repeated, deliberate and targeted large-scale strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, have significantly increased risks to nuclear safety and security at the plant.

In this regard we 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 International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct safe, efficient and effective safeguards implementation.

We firmly reject any attempts to consider the restart of the reactors at the ZNPP that would contradict the relevant resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, and the IAEA General Conference, and the UN General Assembly and would be wholly unacceptable.

We stress that the release of the detained Ukrainian ZNPP personnel by the occupying Russian authorities remains a paramount precondition for restoring both basic trust and operational safety at the site.

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 as well as courage of its staff in continuing these missions despite the risks.

We reiterate our demand that Russia immediately cease all military activities affecting nuclear facilities and related critical 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.

We call on all states to strengthen joint efforts to condemn and stop Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, as well as to hold Russia accountable for its reckless violation of international law. Coordinated diplomatic, political, and economic actions against the aggressor are essential to protect international peace and security, to end Russia`s war of aggression and to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Thank you.