A group of 50 countries and the European Union issued a statement strongly condemning the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the direct military support provided to Russia by the DPRK, Iran and Belarus, and also called on all UN member states to stop any support for Russian military actions , and Russia – "to ensure the complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders."

The statement, which also noted the "urgent demand for the Russian Federation to withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant and immediately return the plant to the full control of Ukraine, was read by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsya, at a press conference in New York.

The statement was made on Tuesday on the eve of a meeting of the UN Security Council held by Russia on the topic "Multilateral cooperation in the interests of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order."

"I would like to read a statement on behalf of the governments of Ukraine, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States), Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain, the United States of America and the European Union," he listed the signatories of the statement.

Kyslytsya said soon "Russia will hold a meeting of the UN Security Council on the topic 'Multilateral cooperation in the interests of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order.' Against the backdrop of a brutal aggressive war against Ukraine, the topic of debate is another clear demonstration of Russia's hypocrisy," he said.

According to him, "today's meeting should not distract the attention of the international community from Russia's flagrant violations of the UN Charter and abuses in the UN Security Council, while cynically trying to present itself as the guardian of the multilateral order."

"We reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and reaffirm our unwavering support for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders," Kyslytsya said on behalf of the signatory countries of the statement.

The following is the text of the statement read out by Kyslytsya.

"In the true spirit of multilateral and international cooperation, we support international efforts to achieve peace in accordance with international law, such as the Ukraine Peace Summit held in Switzerland, which presented such a vision. The summit resulted in a Communiqué signed by more than 90 countries and institutions, focusing on food security, nuclear safety and security, and humanitarian issues, including the return of thousands of Ukrainian children whom Russia has forcibly removed or deported. Russia has also arbitrarily detained thousands of other Ukrainian citizens."

While Ukraine continues to courageously defend its civilian population, we condemn the direct military support provided to Russia by the DPRK in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as by Iran while these sanctions were in force. Belarus continues to make its territory and infrastructure available to Russia. We call on all UN Member States providing material support for Russia's military activities, including dual-use materials such as weapons components, equipment and raw materials, to cease all material and political support for Russian military activities.

Russia's continued illegal actions and blatant hypocrisy undermine multilateral and international cooperation, demonstrate complete disregard for the UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and the global non-proliferation regime, increase regional tensions and threaten international peace and security.

We welcome the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the resolution "Safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including Zaporizhia nuclear power plant," which was supported by 99 countries. The resolution sends a powerful signal to Russia, which has the ignominious distinction of being the first country in history to forcibly seize a nuclear power plant. We continue to work together to ensure nuclear protection and security in Ukraine.

We confirm our full support for the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General to ensure the safety and reliability of Zaporizhia NPP. We also reiterate our urgent demand that Russia withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from Zaporizhia NPP and immediately return the plant to the full control of the sovereign and competent authorities of Ukraine to ensure its safe and reliable operation.

We once again call on Russia to end its senseless war against Ukraine and ensure the complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We will continue to work together to implement the concept of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter, as well as to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity.