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Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine Ms. Khrystyna Hayovyshyn (15 October 2024, New York)

Madame Chair,

At the outset, allow me to warmly congratulate you as the Chair of the First Committee and other members of the Bureau on your election and reassure you of our Delegation’s full support.

 
The Delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to make some remarks in our national capacity.

Ukraine strongly believes that complete and irreversible nuclear disarmament, as stated in Article VI of the NPT, is the only guarantee of protection of humanity from the deadly consequences of the possible use of nuclear weapons.

We reaffirm that the CTBT is a key element of global security and calls for its universalization. The negotiation of the FMCT is also long overdue.

Ukraine welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which, as stated by the Secretary-General, represents the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade.

 
Regrettably, certain States continue to flagrantly violate international law and the UN Charter and undermine international efforts in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament.

 
Russia’s reckless nuclear rhetoric in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, its announcement of a revision to nuclear doctrine, termination or suspension of fulfilment of its obligations under relevant arms control treaties, is a vivid example of such behavior.

The ongoing occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) and Russia’s massive missile attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure pose a grave threat to nuclear safety and security of Ukraine.

 
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is planning attacks on our NPPs and their infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid.

 
We call on UN member states to put pressure on Russia to heed the calls of General Assembly resolution 78/316, and relevant resolutions of the IAEA General Conference and Board of Governors.

Ukraine reiterates that the only possible way to ensure safety and security at ZNPP is its complete demilitarization, de-occupation and its return to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities.

Madame Chair,

Ukraine strongly condemns the DPRK’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile activities, which pose a serious threat to regional and international security.

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, as well as sign and ratify the CTBT.

As of today, we see an increasing alliance between Russia and the DPRK. And it is now not only about the supply of weapons and ammunition in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. It is now about transferring North Korea’s militaries to the occupying military forces.
We call on UN member states to strengthen pressure on Russia and the DPRK to stop the illegal flow of North Korea’s weapons to Moscow and prevent an even larger war.

Madame Chair,

Ukraine is gravely alarmed by incompliance of Iran with its obligations under the JCPOA. We urge Tehran to fully implement this Agreement.

For more than two years, Ukraine has been suffering from Russian attacks with UAVs of Iranian production, which were transferred in violation of Security Council resolution 2231.

 
Considering the recent transfer by Iran of ballistic missiles to Russia, we call on Tehran to refrain from delivering any types of weapons and military equipment to Russia.

Ukraine strongly condemns the massive ballistic missile attack by Iran against Israel on October 1, 2024.

 
Just last week we commemorated the anniversary of the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel.  Ukraine immediately condemned this shameful act of terror.

The Hamas attack ignited a war that continues to claim lives. The evidence of this large-scale human tragedy is reflected in the painful number of victims among Palestinian women and children, the large-scale humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and the captivity of a part of Israeli hostages to this day.  Strikes continue on the territory of Palestine and Lebanon, and the territory of Israel is shelled.

We are concerned about the shelling on 10 October by Israel Defense Forces of the UNIFIL, which caused injuries to its personnel. This incident is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and UNSC resolution 1701 (2006).

Ukraine reiterates its call on all parties involved in the Middle East standoff to prevent further escalation into a large-scale war.

Madame Chair, 

Ukraine advocates strict adherence to the provisions of the BTWC and CWC.

The Russian Federation, on the other hand, has a track record of using chemical weapons. Moscow has used toxic chemicals against Alexei Navalny, Julia and Sergei Skripal, as well as provided military assistance to the Syrian Arab Republic.

 
Today, Russia regularly uses munitions filled with hazardous chemical substances and riot control agents as a method of warfare against Ukraine in violation of paragraph 5 of Article I of the CWC.

 
We call on UN member states to condemn Russia’s incompliance with the CWC, including by speaking with one voice against the election of Russia to the Executive Council of the OPCW for 2025-2027.

Madame Chair,

As of today, almost a third of the entire territory of Ukraine is contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war.

 
We thank all our partners, international and non-governmental organizations who provide support in clearing the territory of Ukraine from Russian mines and explosive ordnance.

In this regard, we strongly believe that the Ukraine Mine Action Conference hosted jointly by Switzerland and Ukraine in Lausanne on 17–18 October 2024 will address the broad aspects of humanitarian mine action, including the mine clearance.

Thank you.