Check against delivery

 

Statement 

by the Delegation of Ukraine at the Main Committee II 

of the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

 (5 May 2026, New York)

 

Mr. Chair,

We would like to congratulate you on your election as Main Committee II 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.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime and a key pillar of international peace and security. By preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, the NPT reduces the risk of nuclear conflict and creates the conditions for progress toward nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Ukraine believes that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) remains one of the key legal elements of the global security architecture in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and serves as an essential instrument to establish a global standard against nuclear testing. We call upon all states that have not yet done so - in particular the remaining Annex 2 States - to sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay.

Ukraine reiterates its support for the early commencement and conclusion of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) within the Conference on Disarmament.

Ukraine also supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones that can contribute to the achievement of the goals of the NPT and expand the geographical framework and universalizing the non-proliferation regime.

Mr. Chair,

Today, the non-proliferation regime is under unprecedented strain. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, including its actions at and against Ukrainian nuclear facilities, represents a direct challenge to 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 the ZNPP, complete with explosives and unauthorized armed units. IAEA inspectors are denied unrestricted access and consistent communications. Moscow also takes measures aimed at legitimizing its occupation of the ZNPP, including through the issuance of a so-called “license” for the operation of its power units and the Dry Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility (DSFSF).

Moreover, grave and systematic human rights violations, including the unlawful detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, continues to be Russia’ s policy in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The policy has a direct impact on the staff and the family members at the ZNPP as not only nationality, but also professional background and affiliation posing significant risks to be subject of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment.

At least 35 civilians — including ZNPP employees — remain unlawfully deprived of liberty. Since 2022, up to two thousand residents of the city of Enerhodar have been subjected to illegal detention practices. The civilian status of the individuals significantly complicates their release, as they are not covered by prisoner-of-war exchange mechanisms.

Detention is used as a tool of coercion, including forcing ZNPP staff to cooperate with the occupying administration and to sign contracts with Rosatom. Such practices constitute serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law and directly undermine nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP.

Moreover, if not answered properly, such policies would rise to a key challenge to safety culture and robust capacity building practices in nuclear energy field.

We highlight the importance for all Agency staff rotations to be conducted through territory under the control of the Government of Ukraine.

Ukraine expresses its appreciation for the IAEA’s continued commitment, as well as for the professionalism and courage of its staff, who continue their work under extremely challenging and dangerous conditions.

We call on the international community to intensify pressure on Russia to ensure the immediate and complete withdrawal of Russian military and other unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhia NPP site and the return of the plant to Ukraine's full control.

Ukraine consistently calls the international nuclear community to urgently address the issue of Russia’s illegal detention practices and prevent the established safety culture from being undermined.

We call on the international nuclear community to explore possible avenues for strengthening its response to these dangers, as well as to support international efforts aimed at securing the prompt release of all unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians, including the personnel of the ZNPP.

Mr. Chair,

We are deeply concerned by documented evidence that specific Russian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles used against Ukraine contain radioactive materials, including isotopes of uranium, thus creating risks of environmental contamination and serious health consequences for civilians.

In this regard, in April 2026, Ukrainian authorities identified debris of “Geran-2” UAVs and R-60 missiles in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Inspections using dosimetry equipment recorded elevated radiation levels, and preliminary analysis indicates the presence of uranium isotopes (U-238 and U-235) in the missile components.

We would like to stress that such actions undermine international norms related to radiation safety and environmental protection and warrant urgent international attention and response.

In the coming days, Ukraine will present detailed information on this matter.

Mr. Chair,

The Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine has been sustained by military assistance provided by Belarus, Iran, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We call on all States Parties to the NPT to unequivocally condemn such military-technical cooperation, which undermines international peace and security and runs counter to the principles of the non-proliferation regime.

The deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in the territory of Belarus following the agreement signed between the two counties pose a major threat to the integrity of the NPT and to the foundations of non-proliferation and disarmament around the globe.

Ukraine is also deeply concerned over Iran’s expanding nuclear programme and its lack of transparency. Enrichment of uranium to up to 60% U-235 raises serious proliferation risks. We call on Iran to return to full compliance with the NPT and its safeguards obligations, as well as ensure unrestricted cooperation with the IAEA.

We recall that, following the activation of the snapback mechanism under resolution 2231 (2015), the provisions of previously terminated Security Council resolutions on Iran were reinstated.

Ukraine condemns in the strongest terms the DPRK’s ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

Ukraine reiterates that the DPRK cannot and will not be recognized as a nuclear-weapon State under any circumstances. The complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains an essential objective.

Thank you.