Ukraine condemns in the strongest possible terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 3 September 2017.

In conjunction with Pyongyang’s aggressive ballistic missile programme, it now poses a real threat not only to neigbouring countries, but also 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.