Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine under cluster 1 “Nuclear weapons” of the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

(21 October 2025, New York)

 

Mr. Chair,

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

We stress the need for concrete progress towards the pursuit of global nuclear disarmament, especially through the strict, full, and universal implementation of all NPT obligations and commitments, as well as the overall reduction in the global nuclear weapons stockpiles.

Ukraine believes that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) remains one of the key legal elements of the global security architecture in the field of 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.

We support the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, which serve as vital regional pillars of the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.

Ukraine firmly believes that nuclear disarmament verification is indispensable for advancing the goal of nuclear disarmament. Ukraine further supports concrete steps on nuclear risk reduction and measures to enhance transparency and accountability.

We also highly value the important role that the IAEA plays in coordinating international efforts to secure nuclear non-proliferation regime and to facilitate the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine strongly condemns the nuclear and ballistic missile tests conducted by the DPRK. We urge Pyongyang to fully comply with its obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions to refrain from testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

We also call on the DPRK to immediately return to compliance with the NPT and the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as well as sign and ratify the Additional Protocol thereto, as well as the CTBT.

Ukraine calls on Iran to comply with its legally binding nuclear safeguards obligations under the NPT.

Mr. Chair,

We cannot ignore Russia’s withdrawal of ratification of the CTBT, its announced deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, as well as its decision to suspend participation in the New START Treaty. Such actions pose a major threat to global disarmament efforts.

Unfortunately, today’s reality demonstrates that nuclear arsenals are increasingly being used as instruments of coercion and intimidation against neighboring States that do not possess nuclear weapons.

Such threats erode the core balance established by the NPT - the undertaking by non-nuclear-weapon states to abstain from acquiring nuclear weapons in exchange for the gradual reduction of nuclear arsenals by nuclear-weapon states and guaranteed access to peaceful use of nuclear energy. They further undermine the assurances given to non-nuclear-weapon states.

In this regard, we are compelled to note that the current security environment is defined by Russian aggression, nuclear threats and the seizure of Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

Ukraine reaffirms that the return of the temporarily occupied by Russia Zaporizhzhia NPP to full Ukrainian control is the only way to restore nuclear safety and stability. Only the Ukrainian regulator and operator can ensure an appropriate level of nuclear safety at the station in accordance with international standards and IAEA guarantees. We categorically reject any attempts by Moscow to question this fact. They are legally null and void.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.