Statement of the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva G.M.Gatilov at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament by the right of reply, February 26, 2025

Madame President,

Let me share some assessments of the statements made by a number of delegations, primarily by the States representing the so-called collective West. It is obvious that those of them who once again used the Conference to reproduce the absurd accusations against Russia, as well as a number of other Member States of the forum are in no way interested in resuming the normal functioning of the CD. Such attitude towards the unique negotiating platform is only a reflection of the position of most Western countries on the acute and urgent issue of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. It is regrettable that these countries we are not able to sense the changes in the current dynamic of the development of international relations and continue to take the position of confrontation with Russia.

For anyone who follows the activities of the Conference, it is obvious that it is the delegations of Western countries that have been blocking the start of negotiations at the forum for many years. Apparently, these States are unwilling to assume new obligations in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. At the same time, they disguise their true intentions under catchy politicized statements that have nothing to do with the goals and objectives of the CD, as well as the mandate given to it by the international community related to the development of relevant international legal instruments. And, even worse, it is these delegations that continue to use the CD to implement their narrow–group  installations, despite the opinion of the absolute majority of States that adhere to balanced approaches both in assessing the situation in the field of international security and in terms of ways to restore an atmosphere of trust and cooperation at the Conference.

I will not comment on the distorted of the situation that representatives of the EU member States and the signatory States of the joint statement on the situation in Ukraine tried to present during the High-level Segment. We have repeatedly brought the rationale for the actions of the Russian Federation, including from the point of view of international law, as well as the goals and objectives of the special military operation were repeatedly clarified by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov. This was also conveyed by us to the participants of the CD and the international community. In our statements, we described in detail the root causes of the events in and around Ukraine, provided data on the malicious actions of Western states, literally pumping the Kiev regime with weapons and ammunition, thereby exacerbating the conflict, as it it now being recognised, provoked by themselves.

Madame President,

Some of the aspects of the statements, voiced during the Segment still deserve a separate reaction.

First of all, I would like to emphasize that Russia's cooperation with all UN Member States, including Belarus, Iran and the DPRK, is carried out in strict accordance with international law, is not confrontational, is not directed against any state or group of states and does not pose a threat to peace and stability both on international and regional levels. We consistently build relations of good neighborhood, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation with all the states that are fighting hegemony, neo-colonialism and neo-Nazism, and pursue an independent policy to protect their national interests and sovereignty in accordance with the principles of the United Nations and international law.

I would also like to respond to the accusations of the alleged use of chemical agents by the Russian Armed Forces during the special military operation. First of all, I would like to responsibly state that Russia strictly adheres to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. We have never used and are not going to use this type of WMD. Back in 2017, our country completely destroyed chemical weapons stocks, which was confirmed by the OPCW Technical Secretariat. The combat tasks of the special military operation are successfully solved exclusively through the use of conventional weapons, which is not applicable to the armed forces of Ukraine. We have repeatedly provided the OPCW and the international community as a whole with evidence of illegal actions of the Ukranian armed forces as well as  provocations they were preparing using toxic chemicals.

It is unthinkable to hear the accusations against our country contained in the aforementioned joint statement regarding the alleged increase of the threat of a nuclear accident at the Zaporozhskaya NPP due to Russia's actions. I would like to draw  attention to the fact that this facility has long been under the jurisdiction and control of Russia. It is our people who work at the NPP and are responsible for its operational and physical safety. And Russia bears full responsibility for this facility, and therefore is interested in ensuring its safety and security. Therefore, it is Ukraine that creates the threat of a nuclear catastrophe with its numerous endless attacks on the nuclear power plant, aimed at exacerbating the situation and creating new high-profile provocations against our country.

We cannot but respond to the claims against our country regarding the withdrawal of the ratification of the CTBT. We would like to emphasize that this decision was made due to the long-standing refusal of the United States to ratify the Treaty and the unleashing of a "hybrid" war against Russia by Western countries in order to inflict a "strategic defeat" on us. At the same time, over the past two decades, the United States has continued to maintain the Nevada test site on high alert, without abandoning the idea of conducting a full-fledged nuclear test as part of the modernization of the relevant arsenal. As a result, Russia was forced to resort to such a step in relation to the CTBT in order to achieve parity in positions. At the same time, our country continues to observe the moratorium on nuclear testing, and also remains a signatory State to this Treaty, with all the rights and obligations arising from this, and continues to fully participate in the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO.

Madame President,

In conclusion, I would like to comment on the aforementioned statement on behalf of the European Union and its associated States. Although the EU Member States try to present themselves as apologists for a positive disarmament agenda and the rule of law, they nevertheless openly violate the foundations of our forum. This is a blatant example of "double standards" and disregard for international legal norms in favor of advancing their own interests - which is, however, very typical of the current foreign policy of the EU.

I would like to remind you that the European Union does not have a status at the CD and, as a result, there are no legal grounds for voicing a position on behalf of this association. In light of the specifics of the forum's negotiating mandate, only States can participate in its work, and then with the consent of the members of the CD. That is why the statement on behalf of this association can only be considered as the position of Poland, under whose banner the EU representative took the floor.

We intend to continue to prevent such gross violations of the Rules of Procedure and Practice of the CD, which undermine the work of the forum.

Madame President,

All the arguments I have cited clearly demonstrate the dishonesty of the Western delegations who are trying to hold Russia and a number of other countries responsible for the current unsatisfactory state of affairs in the field of international security and strategic stability, just to distract attention from their own transgressions. Needless to say that such a line is frankly harmful both for the work of the CD and for other "disarmament" fora.

Such politicized statements, which, unfortunately, lack any useful ideas for solving pressing problems in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, indicate that their initiators lack the political will to find compromises and jointly find ways to strengthen international and regional security. It is them who lack any signs of readiness to conduct an equal, mutually respectful and mutually beneficial dialogue in order to reduce tension, restore trust and normalize interstate relations. All this shows the political shortsightedness, if not blindness, of the participants in such demarches and the harmfulness their openly confrontational foreign policy brings to the world.

We urge to abandon such an absolutely destructive line at the CD. Joint efforts by all Member States are needed to normalize the activities of the Conference. We welcome any constructive initiatives and intend to contribute to the search for the mutually acceptable solutions for the key issues of the arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, as well as to reduction of distrust and tension – but only if the other parties are ready to build an equal and mutually respectful dialogue.

Thank you for your attention.