Виступ делегації України під час тематичних дебатів з питань ядерної зброї Першого комітету ГА ООН

Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN GA First Committee Thematic Debate on Nuclear Weapons

Mr.Chair,

Ukraine strongly supports full and effective implementation and strengthening of the legal and institutional multilateral mechanisms to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, related materials, equipment and technologies as essential for nuclear disarmament.

We also believe that against the backdrop of different positions on the means to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons, identifying and developing practical and effective measures of nuclear disarmament verification and monitoring will foster confidence and contribute to the efforts to attaining the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.

Since Ukraine joined the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the non-nuclear state we have devotedly implemented our international obligations to destroy nuclear weapons, their means of delivery, ground-based launchers, other elements of nuclear infrastructure.

Regrettably, as it is seen from our experience, the credibility and efficiency of some of the key pillars of the NPT have been seriously undermined. The historic decision of Ukraine to renounce its nuclear weapons was largely based on the clear international security assurances provided in writing in 1994, in particular in the Budapest Memorandum signed by Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation. There is no doubt that this Memorandum is valid and should be adhered to by all its state-signatories.

The State-signatories to the Memorandum “reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine”, as well as “reaffirmed their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine”.

However, brutal violation of international obligations, including under the Budapest Memorandum, by Russia – clearly demonstrated how a nuclear weapon state can neglect the security assurances it gave to Ukraine in 1994. Moreover, this brings us to a very simple conclusion – that security assurances under the existing international law are extremely ineffective to guarantee the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

Mr.Chair,

Notwithstanding the existing challenges to the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, Ukraine considers the NPT as a key element of the mentioned system and the essential basis for promotion of nuclear disarmament in accordance with its Article VI.

We have to recognize that it was very much unfortunate that the 10th NPT Review Conference was postponed to 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it gives us another opportunity to continue developing areas of convergence and discussing ideas on the strengthening of all three NPT’s pillars.

Ukraine believes that the successful outcome of the 10th NPT Review Conference would pave the way for effective promotion of the Treaty and strengthening of international peace and security.

Mr.Chair,

In addition to the NPT itself, there are still other crucial elements of multilateral disarmament framework worth our special attention.

Being a country that voluntarily gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1994 and made historic contribution to ensuring global strategic stability, Ukraine closely follows the ongoing dialogue between the United States and Russia on further limiting their nuclear arsenals.

Ukraine would welcome a positive outcome of negotiations on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start). In this regard, we also believe that China could make a significant contribution by joining US-Russia dialogue on nuclear disarmament, in a trilateral format, on limiting nuclear capabilities and expanding the New Start Treaty.

Reiterating its support of the multilateral approach in the sphere of disarmament and non-proliferation, Ukraine underlines the importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty universalization, negotiating and concluding the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) within the Conference on Disarmament framework and establishment of nuclear weapon free zones, including such a zone in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr.Chair