Check against delivery

 

Statement 

by the Delegation of Ukraine 

at the General Exchange of Views of Main Committee III of the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

(6 May 2026, New York)

 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

Let me congratulate you on your election as Main Committee III Chair and assure you of our full support.

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We would like to make additional remarks in our national capacity.

Just one week ago, we commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.

Chornobyl remains a stark reminder that nuclear safety must never be taken for granted. Yet today, these lessons are being tested once again by deliberate actions of the Russian Federation.

We are particularly concerned about the consequences of the Russian drone strike of 14 February 2025, which caused damage to the New Safe Confinement, a structure essential for containing radioactive materials and preventing radiological contamination.

Such actions are unacceptable and dangerous. They have already undermined enormous international efforts undertaken to mitigate the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster and pose serious risks not only to Ukraine, but to the broader region.

Ukraine expresses its deep appreciation to all States and international organizations that participated in the International Donor Conference on Chornobyl Recovery and Nuclear Safety, held in Kyiv on 26 April 2026, and pledged their generous support for the forthcoming recovery projects.

The contributions and commitments announced at the Conference, including support for the repair of the New Safe Confinement, send a strong and timely signal of international solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing the legacy of Chornobyl and the new risks created by Russia’s aggression.

Another priority for Ukraine is the safe management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, given the significant volumes of such material located there. Despite ongoing attacks by the Russian Federation, Ukraine continues to take all necessary measures to ensure their secure storage and to prevent any transboundary environmental harm.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

As we speak, Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, accompanied by systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the energy system that underpins the safe operation of nuclear facilities. These actions not only endanger Ukraine but pose risks far beyond our borders.

Reliable off-site power supply is a cornerstone of nuclear safety. Yet Ukraine’s nuclear power plants have repeatedly faced disruptions, forcing operators to function under conditions of heightened instability. This war has fundamentally disrupted both Ukraine's and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) ability to pursue the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as envisioned under Article IV of the NPT.

The most alarming example of this is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)—Europe’s largest nuclear facility—which remains under illegal Russian military occupation.

Since March 2022, the plant has been turned into a military base. Its grounds are mined, Ukrainian personnel have been harassed, kidnapped, and replaced under duress. IAEA inspectors are routinely denied full access to key areas. Twelve power outages have occurred, forcing the plant to rely on emergency diesel generators.

The IAEA has confirmed that all “seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security” have been compromised.

Today, the Russian Federation takes steps to restart reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In addition, Moscow seeks to legitimize its occupation of the ZNPP, including through the issuance of a so-called “license” for the operation of its power units in clear contradiction with the relevant resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, the IAEA General Conference, and the United Nations General Assembly.

There is an urgent need to redouble collective efforts to increase pressure on Russia to release unlawfully detained Ukrainian ZNPP personnel, which remains a paramount precondition for restoring both basic trust and operational safety at the site.

Let us be clear, the only way to fully restore nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP is the complete withdrawal of Russian military and other unauthorized personnel and the return of the facility under the full control of Ukraine.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

On 8 July 2024, a Russian missile struck the National Children’s Hospital Okhmatdyt in Kyiv—a leader in paediatric cancer treatment and a participant in IAEA Technical Cooperation projects. No radiological release occurred, but the message was clear: hospitals are not safe from this aggression.

Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine was a reliable partner in the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme. Our projects focused on nuclear medicine, radiological laboratories, Chornobyl rehabilitation, and regulatory capacity. These initiatives have been severely disrupted.

In 2022, technical cooperation with Ukraine was effectively suspended for several months. Equipment deliveries were blocked. Expert missions were postponed. Specialists were unable to travel.

The war has forced Ukraine to shift from forward-looking development to emergency response. Resources once earmarked for innovation are now spent to replace damaged equipment, secure orphan sources, and restore basic infrastructure.

Russia’s aggression has disrupted the IAEA’s ability to support peaceful nuclear development in Ukraine, including technical assistance, regulatory support, and safety enhancement – all core components of the Agency’s Statute.

Despite this devastation, Ukraine’s commitment to peaceful nuclear use of nuclear energy remains unwavering. We continue to collaborate with the IAEA and our partners to stabilize the situation, safeguard nuclear material, and protect personnel. The IAEA’s continuous presence at Ukrainian nuclear sites has been indispensable, and we thank Director General Grossi and all donor countries for their invaluable support.

Thank you.