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Address of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha at the UN Security Council meeting on Artificial Intelligence

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

25 September 2025 22:49

Address of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha at the UNSC High-Level Open Debate "Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security: Addressing the Complexities, Multifaceted Impacts, and Responsible Use", New York (USA)

Mr. President,

I thank the Republic of Korea for organising this debate. And I am grateful to the Secretary-General and other briefers for their remarks. We recognize both the potential of artificial intelligence and its risks. Probably we in Ukraine experience them more than anyone else. For us, they are literally a matter of life and death.

Artificial Intelligence has changed the nature of war. Its use on the battlefield is rapidly expanding. This technology can help a country defend itself, like it helps us in Ukraine. But it can also be used by an aggressor to kill and destroy, like it is being used by Russia.

Ukraine uses these technologies to develop advanced equipment, including air defense, to improve resilience against Russian electronic warfare, and enhance our capacity to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Recently, we have also started testing artificial intelligence in humanitarian demining.

At the same time, Russia has been using these technologies to inflict death and destruction. Moscow also widely uses them as tools for propaganda and undermining trust in democratic institutions in Ukraine and throughout the world.

The development of artificial intelligence marks a new era for the world. From education and the economy to war and peace—this technology will transform the way we do things. But as with any technology, it is not about capabilities, but rather about the intent of those who use it.

In the past, the international community has found ways to counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. International legal mechanisms, treaties, and regimes.

But while weapons of mass destruction are difficult to acquire, transfer, and develop, artificial intelligence has no physical borders. Controlling its proliferation among rogue actors is extremely challenging. For example, Russia may share with North Korea or Iran its experience of using this technology on the battlefield in Ukraine. This will immediately elevate security risks for both the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific, as well as for the Middle East. And this is probably already happening.

We call for a coordinated action to counter threats of criminal regimes sharing defense technology based on artificial intelligence. Free nations must be quicker and more effective. Ukraine stands ready to share its valuable experience and know-how with its allies.

Mr. President,

I will quote what Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday at the General Assembly hall. I quote, "We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history — because this time, it includes artificial intelligence. And if there are no real security guarantees - except friends and weapons, and if the world can't respond even to old threats, and if there's no strong platform for international security - will there be any place-left on Earth that's still safe for people?

We need global rules - now - for how AI can be used in weapons. This is just as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear weapons", end of quote.

At the international level, Ukraine supported a number of important initiatives aimed at strengthening artificial intelligence governance, including relevant UN General Assembly resolutions and political declarations.

We commend the Republic of Korea and other international partners for fostering cooperation in this domain, including within the REAIM  process.

Ukraine calls upon all peace-loving states to ensure democratic control over emerging technologies, while holding accountable those who weaponize them to commit crimes.

And last but not least, I want to assure you that my remarks were not written by artificial intelligence.

Thank you, Mr. President.