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STATEMENTby H.E. Mr. Kostyantyn GRYSHCHENKO
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
at the general debatesof the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to theTreaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

4 May 2010, New York

Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations
220 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 tel. (212) 759 7003, fax (212) 355 9455
E-mail: uno_us@mfa.gov.ua http://www.mfa.gov.ua/uno

Mr. President,
At the outset, allow me to congratulate you with assuming this important office. I am
confident that under your able leadership the Conference will go down in history as a successstory. Please be assured of Ukraine's full support in your endeavors.
Distinguished delegates,
I am addressing the Conference as the representative of a State which 16 years ago madeunprecedented move and voluntarily denounced its inherited nuclear arsenal - the world's thirdlargest at the time. In 1994 Ukraine joined the NPT as non-nuclear state and since then has
been consistently undertaking steps aimed at making nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation work. We are deeply convinced that nuclear weapons do not strengthen security,
but rather create more tensions and risks for states who strive to acquire them.
It is widely recognized that Ukraine's action enhanced the NPT regime, had a beneficial
impact on international security and strategic stability, and created favorable conditions forfurther steps to reduce nuclear arsenals.
Our decision, which can serve as an example for others, has been made with clear
understanding that relevant political security assurances, which Ukraine received in 1994
through the Budapest Memorandum, constitute an integral part of our nuclear disarmament
move.
It is our strong position that the security assurances for the states which renounced theirnuclear arsenals, as well as for the states which are non-members of any military alliances,have to be reflected in a legally binding international document. It is also important that thebasic right of states to choose for themselves means for providing national security andnational interests should be duly taken into account in the process of elaboration ofinternational and regional security structures.
Ukraine stands firm in its disarmament choice. The most recent contribution of mycountry to this course is the decision, announced by the President of Ukraine Viktor
Yanukovych this April in Washington, to get rid of all national stocks of high enricheduranium by 2012, provided there is sufficient international assistance. As the first step, we willremove even this year a substantial part of our stock for its downgrading to the low enricheduranium to be used by the Ukrainian nuclear research facilities.
The meaning of our voluntary step is crystal clear - Ukraine takes nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament seriously. We expect that our example will serve as a pattern forothers. Our decision is also another proof of our commitment to the implementation of the UN
Security Council Resolution 1887(2009).
Turning to the Treaty itself, I should like to emphasize that it is not only an essential basis
for pursuing nuclear disarmament. It is a mirror of global political reality. For forty years theTreaty has been at the core of international efforts aimed at containing spread of nuclearweapons. Likewise, for forty years States have -been taking steps to reach this goal. A lot has
been achieved, indeed.

2Yet, although it seems that the fear of global nuclear war has receded irrevocably, twomajor challenges are still in place. First, despite all reduction efforts, existing nuclear arsenals
are striking. Second, a number of gaps in the nuclear non-proliferation regime remain. Bothpose a threat to world peace and security.
Recent events give us hope that States realize the dramatic importance of these challenges
and are committed to addressing them resolutely. Washington Summit on Nuclear Security andsigning of a new START Treaty between the United States of America and the RussianFederation are two milestone undertakings, which set the tone for further activities.
We also welcome the decision of the United States, announced yesterday by the Secretaryof State H.Clinton, to go ahead with the provision of legally binding security assurances to thecountries belonging to the nuclear-weapon-free zones established in Africa and the South
Pacific.
Mr. President,
Ukraine firmly stands for comprehensive disarmament under effective international
control. We attach paramount importance to achieving universality of and strict compliancewith the NPT.
There is an urgent need to build on the results of the historic 1995 and 2000 Review
Conferences. We have not only to reaffirm validity of 13 practical steps of nuclear
disarmament, adopted in 2000, but to review them thoroughly and, if necessary, update andextend.
No need to say that the NPT system has been under severe strain in recent years and theInternational Atomic Energy Agency has been struggling with verification, compliance andenforcement challenges. Conference should pay proper attention to the implementation of nonproliferation commitments. Failure to do so will result in further erosion of the regime and will
seriously affect international security.
The Treaty requires a more efficient mechanism of adequate response to today'schallenges. In our view, one of the measures that will strengthen the Treaty is the elaborationof the modalities under which states can implement the Article X of the NPT.
Having said this, we would also like to underline the importance of strict compliance with
the UN Security Council resolutions on the prevention of black-market supply networks,
trafficking and acquisition of nuclear materials by non-State actors.
We also underscore the importance of strengthening physical protection of nuclear
material and facilities given the increased risk of nuclear terrorism. There is a strong need foradherence to existing legal instruments, especially to the International Convention on theSuppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
One of the important elements of non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament is the Fissile
Material Cut Off Treaty. Ukraine deeply regrets the continuing deadlock over resumption ofactivities of the Conference on Disarmament on this issue.

3We also strongly hope that the renewed commitment' of key states regarding theratification of the CTBT will allow us to finally realize the long standing goal of its entry intoforce.
Mr. President,
Ukraine considers peaceful uses of nuclear energy equally important NPT pillar. We
underscore the vital need of peaceful nuclear technology for sustainable development ofnations, provided that nuclear activities are subject to full scope safeguards of the International
Atomic Energy Agency.
Given the rising international demand for nuclear energy, we acknowledge a number ofinitiatives, which can facilitate multilateral solutions for the expanding need for nuclear fueland services, while minimizing the risk of proliferation. Their proper implementation canprovide the interested countries with the necessary back-up mechanisms. Therefore, wewelcome the recent agreement between the IAEA and the Russian Federation to establish areserve of low enriched uranium (LEU) for supply to the IAEA to be located at theInternational Uranium Enrichment Centre in Angarsk, Russia.
Distinguished delegates,
The strengthening of safety and security of nuclear material and facilities is of evengreater importance, as it was vividly demonstrated 24 years ago by the Chernobyl nuclear
power plant accident, which is still an open wound for Ukraine. My country's strategy toaddress the lingering aftereffects of Chernobyl disaster is aimed at fostering the region's longterm development and providing people with the support they need to lead safe and healthy
lives.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to draw your attention to the initiative of thePresident of Ukraine, co-sponsored by Belarus and the Russian Federation, to convene aninternational conference on the 25th anniversary of the accident in April 2011, to markprogress towards the goal of a return to normal life and to address the issue of the safe use ofnuclear energy.
Mr. President,Finally, talking about the NPT review process itself, it would be relevant, in our view, toevaluate carefully the implementation of the 1995 and 2000 decisions on improving its
effectiveness. As of now, we have on the table some very promising proposals to streamline
the NPT review process, suggested by Canada. We fully support this initiative and urge alldelegations to consider it carefully in the coming weeks.
Mr. President, Distinguished delegates,
The 2010 Review Conference will be successful only if we adopt decisions that are dulyimplemented. To achieve this, key players should project beyond 2010, work hard to develop
effective action plans and allocate essential resources in order to meet proliferation challenges
and, eventually, move towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Thank you.