Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNSC emergency meeting on DPRK nuclear test

As prepared. Check against delivery.

I thank Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing on this alarming issue.

We also thank the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea for initiating Council’s briefing today.

1. Ukraine is deeply concerned over the conduct of yet another nuclear test by DPRK, which represents a threat to international peace and security and constitute a flagrant breach of the non-proliferation regime, including universal norms prohibiting nuclear testing.

In this regard I’d like to recall today’s statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine saying that “In conjunction with Pyongyang’s aggressive ballistic missile programme, it now poses a real threat not only to neigbouring countries, but also to the entire international community.

As the country that voluntarily renounced its third largest nuclear arsenal along with strategic means of their delivery, Ukraine regards Pyongyang’s recent actions as a conscious, reckless and dangerous provocation. It is most deplorable that the North Korean leadership has again defied, bluntly and cynically, numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Ukraine calls on Pyongyang to refrain from any demonstration of force, cease all nuclear tests without delay and restart a constructive dialogue, without preconditions, in order to ensure complete, irreversible and verifiable renunciation of its nuclear and missile programmes. Ukraine stands ready to join other members of the international community, including as a current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, in taking stronger and more decisive measures to curb future nuclear and missile threats.

In order to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation regime, we call upon the UN Security Council to undertake in-depth investigation into the development of the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes, in order to expose any possible foreign assistance to Pyongyang in this area.”

2. There are some points that the Ukrainian delegation would like to highlight in this regard.

Pyongyang’s policy is proved to be very persistent and clear in ignoring international law and numerous calls to halt its illegal activity that leaves no hope for DPRK compliance with the existing norms and prohibitions. Moreover, Pyongyang’s aggressive rhetoric is aimed at legitimizing such acts through blaming other states for raising the tensions in the region — that’s absolutely unacceptable.

Needless to say, the Council should use every instrument at its disposal to ensure full implementation of its resolutions. At the same time, we cannot but recognize that we urgently need even more robust measures to respond comprehensively and effectively to the growing nuclear threat on the Korean peninsula.

Ukraine remains ready for constructive work with all delegations on this issue to ensure positive changes in the current situation and move closer to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Thank you.