Lessons from Afghan Withdrawal... US "Postpones Return to Ukraine Embassy"
Published 15 Apr.2022 10:35(KST)
"Adhering to the 'Zero Risk Policy'"
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, which relocated to Poland before Russia's invasion began, will remain closed for the time being.
Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said in a briefing on the 14th (local time) that the embassy will only reopen once the local situation is deemed safe. He added, "The physical absence of the U.S. does not hinder cooperation between the two countries."
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine moved from the capital Kyiv (Kiyev) to Poland ahead of Russia's invasion on February 24. Until the invasion, staff commuted between Poland and the western city of Lviv, which is close to Poland, but this was also suspended afterward.
The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. government officials, explained that based on the experience of the emergency withdrawal during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, they are adhering to a "zero risk" policy.
As Russian forces abandoned their attempt to capture Kyiv and shifted their focus to the eastern Donbas region, countries have been gradually reopening their embassies. Following Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic, France also announced on this day that it will reopen its embassy in Kyiv.
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