Ukraine

The Secretariat of the OPCW is following the situation in Ukraine within the scope of the Chemical Weapons Convention. In particular, the Secretariat is monitoring the status of relevant chemical industrial facilities and any threats of use of toxic chemicals as weapons in the country.  

In this regard, the Secretariat is in close contact with States Parties and relevant intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations. 

Since February 2022, States Parties have contributed at least €4.52M in voluntary contributions to a Trust Fund on Assistance and Protection of Ukraine to support capacity building activities. Over €2.5M have so far been committed as of November 2024. The Technical Secretariat continues to provide support to Ukraine, upon its request, to support and strengthen the country’s capacity and preparedness for prevention and protection in respect to chemical weapons related incidents.

In 2024, the Technical Secretariat deployed several Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) to Ukraine, upon its request. Additionally, 60 Ukrainian experts were trained in sampling and detection techniques at the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology, and 60 Ukrainian first responders participated in online specialised training on emergency response to the use of toxic chemicals.

All 193 States Parties have committed to never develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, transfer or use chemical weapons. 

The use – or threat of use – of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances is contrary to the Chemical Weapons Convention. 

Press releases

• Statement on Ukraine from the OPCW spokesperson – 12 April 2022
• Statement on Ukraine from the OPCW Spokesperson – 7 May 2024
• OPCW issues report on its Technical Assistance Visit to Ukraine following an alleged incident of use of toxic chemicals as a weapon – 18 November 2024