UK to reopen embassy in Kyiv – POLITICO

The UK will reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv next week, Boris Johnson announced on Friday during a two-day visit to India.

Britain moved its embassy to Lviv in the west of the country in February, days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

More than 16 countries have reopened or announced their embassies in Kyiv, including France, Italy, Poland and Spain. The Netherlands has also sent its diplomats back to Ukraine, but will operate from Lviv.

Johnson announced the return at a press conference in New Delhi, where he was holding talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He seemed to accept that he hadn’t pushed Modi on his decision not to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine, telling journalists when asked: “You can see what’s going on and there is a growing appetite to do more with Britain He claimed India has been “very strong” on its language against Ukraine.

His comments contrast with his statement released to the press ahead of the trip, in which he said: “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together. “

Earlier, the prime minister’s spokesman stressed that “he was not there to speak to any other democratic country about what action they should take”.

Johnson has also faced questions at home over the Partygate scandal, which has called for his resignation this week, but insisted he would still be prime minister if Britain hopes to sign a trade deal in October.