The EU diplomatic mission to Ukraine is returning from Polish Rzeszow to Kyiv, “Interfax-Ukraine” reports citing the press center of the European External Action Service.
“The European Union is resuming its diplomatic presence in Kyiv. After the Russian invasion of 24 February, the Delegation of the European Union was temporarily re-located to the Polish city of Rzeszow. Today, during his visit to Kyiv, High Representative Josep Borrell announced that the work of the EU Delegation to Ukraine will now be led from Kyiv again,” the message says.
Borrell noted that the Head of EU Delegation, Matti Maasikas, returned to Kyiv “so that we can work even more directly and more closely with the Ukrainian authorities.”
Maasikas accompanied Borrell and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during their joint visit to Kyiv on Friday. He will remain in the capital to reopen the premises of the Delegation and assess the conditions for a progressive return of all the Delegation’s staff to Kyiv.
“During our stay in Kyiv, we have witnessed first-hand the ability of the Ukrainian administration to ensure the effective and full functioning of the state and government structures, despite very difficult circumstances. Return of our Delegation to Kyiv will ensure even better interactions with the Government and more support for the Ukrainian people,” Borrell added.
Some Delegation staff will stay in Rzeszow and continue working from there.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania announced the return of the Ambassador to Kyiv, and at the end of March, the Slovenian interim Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine arrived in the Ukrainian capital.
Since the beginning of russia's new military invasion, only the Polish ambassador, the Turkish ambassador, and the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine have remained in Kyiv.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the foreign diplomats to return to Kyiv.