Ukraine US Embassy Aims to Return to Kyiv by the End of This Month

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine plans to return to the capital Kyiv (Kiyev) by the end of this month.

Kristina Kvien, the U.S. Charg? d'Affaires, held a press conference in Lviv on the 2nd (local time) and said, "I hope conditions will be created to return to Kyiv by the end of this month," CNN reported.

The U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv and relocated to Lviv on February 14, ten days before Russia invaded Ukraine. After the invasion began, consular services in Lviv were also completely suspended, and diplomatic staff were withdrawn to Poland.

Charg? d'Affaires Kvien told CNN, "The return of the U.S. Embassy to Kyiv is symbolically important," adding, "It will also help embassy staff carry out their duties."

The U.S. plans to gradually return personnel to Kyiv. Some staff have been preparing to resume work in Lviv since the 27th of last month for this purpose.

Kvien stated, "Embassy staff are working day and night in Poland to help Ukraine achieve victory," and "U.S. diplomats will make day trips to Ukraine over the next one to two weeks."

The specific timing of the return will follow expert recommendations. Kvien said, "We will return to Kyiv when security experts say it is safe," adding, "Since the existing staff is large, not all will return at once."

Meanwhile, the South Korean Embassy in Ukraine, which had evacuated to the border area, returned to Kyiv on the 30th of last month and resumed operations the day before yesterday. Staff remaining at the temporary offices in Chernivtsi and Romania are considering a phased return to Kyiv depending on the local situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.