Credit: twitter.com/usembassykyiv

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

The  American flag was raised at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv Wednesday as the diplomatic compound reopened since being shuttered in February ahead of Russian forces coming across Ukraine’s border launching its invasion.  Last week,   diplomats including the charge d’affaires for Ukraine Kristina Kvien returned to Kyiv for the first time since the Russian invasion.

“Three months ago, we lowered our flag over the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, just days before Russian forces streamed across Ukraine’s border to carry out President Putin’s unprovoked, unjustified war of choice. When we suspended operations at the embassy, we made the point clear: while we would relocate U.S. embassy personnel for their safety and security, this would in no way prevent our engagement with, and support for, the Ukrainian people, government, and civil society as well as our allies and partners.  We underscored our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, pledged to continue our assistance, and started working toward the day we could return to Kyiv. Now, that day has come. Today we are officially resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.  The Ukrainian people, with our security assistance, have defended their homeland in the face of Russia’s unconscionable invasion, and, as a result, the Stars and Stripes are flying over the Embassy once again.”

-U.S. Secretary of State Antony  Blinken

The secretary of state said the U.S. is committed to confronting the challenges through diplomacy ahead as the war rages on.  Blinken said “we have put forward additional measures to increase the safety of our colleagues who are returning to Kyiv and have enhanced our security measures and protocols.”

-U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for  Ukraine  Kristina A. Kvien Returns to Embassy 

U.S. charge d’affaires for Ukraine Kristina Kvien (left) and her diplomatic team returned to Kyiv Sunday May 8, 2022.  Ambassador Kvien speaks at a press conference in Kyiv after her return to the country. (Credit: ua.usembassy.gov) 

U.S. Closed Embassy in Kyiv, relocated Diplomats to Western UKRAINE 

United States Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine

In early February 2022,   the United States closed its Embassy in Kyiv and relocated diplomatic personnel in the country to the western Ukraine city of Lviv as fears of Russian invasion escalated.   U.S. Secretary of State  Blinken said at the time the  embassy would remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine.