On 27 April, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko, heading the Ukrainian delegation, began a working visit to New York (United States) to participate in the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
On the first day of the Conference, Olexandr Mischenko addressed the general debate, delivering a statement on behalf of Ukraine and a group of partner states. He also took part in a high-level thematic event titled “Nuclear Safety and Security of Ukraine During the War” and spoke at the United Nations Security Council open debate on maritime security.
During the general debate, Olexandr Mischenko drew attention to the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which is accompanied by systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure, in particular energy facilities, creating unprecedented risks to nuclear safety in the region. He stressed that Russia’s actions undermine all three pillars of the NPT — non-proliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and disarmament — including through the illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, nuclear blackmail, and the use of nuclear infrastructure as a tool of political pressure.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that Ukraine, which voluntarily relinquished the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances, remains committed to its obligations under the NPT and calls on the international community to take decisive action to strengthen the global nuclear security regime and uphold international law.
At the high-level thematic event, he underlined that Russia’s ongoing aggression poses unprecedented threats to nuclear safety, while the illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP remains a key destabilizing factor. The only way to restore safety is the full and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces and the return of the plant to Ukraine’s control.
In the context of the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, Olexandr Mischenko also drew attention to the consequences of the aggressor state’s strike on the Arch of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, as well as to Russia’s systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, which further increase nuclear risks.
Addressing the UN Security Council open debate on maritime security, the head of the Ukrainian delegation noted that Russia’s aggression has significantly worsened the security situation in the Black Sea region. The Russian Federation systematically violates freedom of navigation, attacks port infrastructure and civilian vessels, and mines sea areas, posing threats to civilian crews and undermining global food security.
He emphasized that Ukraine continues to ensure the functioning of the maritime corridor despite Russia’s attempts to manipulate food security issues. Thanks to these efforts, significant volumes of goods have already been exported to global markets. The Ukrainian side called on the international community to strictly adhere to international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to consolidate efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation.
During the visit, Olexandr Mischenko also held a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
During the meeting, he informed António Guterres about steps aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, expressed gratitude for the UN’s humanitarian activities, and noted its participation in events marking the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. He also emphasized the need to ensure accountability of the Russian Federation for aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including those committed against children.