On July 8, 2020, an online meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation chaired by Ukraine on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) took place.

At the invitation of the Chairpersonship of Ukraine, a researcher from the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center (Cambridge, USA) Dr. Mariana Budjeryn made a presentation "Ukraine and the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction." She highlighted Ukraine's contribution to the international community's efforts in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Mariana Budjeryn drew the Forum’s attention to the great damage caused by Russia’s blatant violation of the assurances of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty provided under the Budapest Memorandum for the WMD non-proliferation regime. According to the scientist, Russia's aggression against Ukraine is not only an affront on its territorial integrity and the security of citizens but also an affront on the fundamental norms and principles of the UN Charter, the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The Ukrainian delegation called on Russia to adhere to the security assurances under the Budapest Memorandum, to cease aggression, to de-occupy the sovereign territories of Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian side reminded Russia that all OSCE participating States reaffirmed their obligations under treaties and agreements in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament in the declaration of the OSCE Ministerial Council regarding non-proliferation of WMD as of 2019, which include obligations under the Budapest Memorandum. The United Kingdom and the United States supported Ukraine and expressed regret at Russia's continued gross violation of its obligations under the Memorandum.

OSCE participating States reaffirmed their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (Non-Proliferation of WMD) and related resolutions in the fight against terrorist groups' efforts to seize WMD and stressed the need to universalize international non-proliferation agreements. The OSCE continues to play an important role in promoting the implementation of Resolution 1540 by assisting participating States in the development of national action plans and the adaptation of national legislation and maintaining a network of national points of contact.

Delegations discussed possible contribution of the OSCE to the review process for the implementation of Resolution 1540 in 2020-2021, including the development of best practice guides, as well as national experiences and priorities in implementing WMD non-proliferation commitments.

At the invitation of the Ukrainian Chairpersonship, Dr. Jonathan Brewer, Coordinator of 1540 Group of Experts, also made a report at the event.