Employees raise the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18. AFP
Employees raise the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18. AFP
Employees raise the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18. AFP
Employees raise the flag outside the US embassy in Kyiv on May 18. AFP

US reopens embassy in Ukraine's Kyiv after three months


Patrick deHahn
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The US has reopened its embassy in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

It marks a major move in American support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government after nearly three months of Russia's invasion, which started on February 24.

"The Stars and Stripes fly again over embassy Kyiv," Mr Blinken tweeted, along with photos of the building.

"I can announce that we have officially resumed embassy operations in Ukraine’s capital."

"We stand proudly with the government and people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their country from Putin’s brutal invasion. Slava Ukraini," he said, which means "Glory to Ukraine".

Russian troops surrounded and attacked the capital for weeks before Ukraine reclaimed control. The Russian troops retreated to refocus efforts on eastern and south-eastern regions of the country.

Kyiv still faces air attacks from Russia and Mr Blinken is aware of that.

"We are committed to confronting the challenges ahead," he said. "The war rages on. Russia’s forces inflict death and destruction on Ukrainian soil every day.

"With strength of purpose, we reaffirm our commitment to the people and government of Ukraine, and we look forward to carrying out our mission from the US embassy in Kyiv."

The US had closed its embassy and withdrew its staff in Kyiv on February 12 before the Russian invasion.

State Department personnel were relocated to the western city of Lviv, while other staff were sent to Poland.

"As we take this momentous step, 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," Mr Blinken said.

Top US officials, including Mr Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, have met Mr Zelenskyy, and other American politicians have visited Kyiv on visits over the past month.

US President Joe Biden's wife Jill visited last week to meet Mr Zelenskyy's wife Olena Zelenska.

Other countries including Britain have reopened their embassies in Kyiv recently.

  • Russian Navy logistics support ship the 'Vsevolod Bobrov', pictured off Istanbul in January, has reportedly caught fire after a Ukrainian airstrike in the Black Sea. Reuters
    Russian Navy logistics support ship the 'Vsevolod Bobrov', pictured off Istanbul in January, has reportedly caught fire after a Ukrainian airstrike in the Black Sea. Reuters
  • A mother and child who fled Ukraine arrive back in Kyiv from Poland. The daily number returning has exceeded those leaving for the first time since the February invasion. AFP
    A mother and child who fled Ukraine arrive back in Kyiv from Poland. The daily number returning has exceeded those leaving for the first time since the February invasion. AFP
  • A Ukrainian tank - with a soldier in it - is carried by a transporter near Bakhmut. AFP
    A Ukrainian tank - with a soldier in it - is carried by a transporter near Bakhmut. AFP
  • A metro station used as a bomb shelter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AFP
    A metro station used as a bomb shelter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AFP
  • Rocket trails in the sky over Pylypchatyne, eastern Ukraine. AFP
    Rocket trails in the sky over Pylypchatyne, eastern Ukraine. AFP
  • A special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Ukraine is held in Geneva, Switzerland. AFP
    A special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Ukraine is held in Geneva, Switzerland. AFP
  • Burnt vehicles and the remains of what appears to be a makeshift bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
    Burnt vehicles and the remains of what appears to be a makeshift bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
  • Protesters outside a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the war in Ukraine, in Geneva. Inside, Ukrainians lambasted the 'sheer horror' and 'pure evil' being inflicted on their country by Russian forces. AFP
    Protesters outside a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the war in Ukraine, in Geneva. Inside, Ukrainians lambasted the 'sheer horror' and 'pure evil' being inflicted on their country by Russian forces. AFP
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow. AFP
    Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow. AFP
  • An explosion at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
    An explosion at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
  • Players walk onto the pitch before a benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine at Borussia-Park in Moenchengladbach, Germany. EPA
    Players walk onto the pitch before a benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine at Borussia-Park in Moenchengladbach, Germany. EPA
  • Russian service members atop an armoured vehicle in Mariupol. Reuters
    Russian service members atop an armoured vehicle in Mariupol. Reuters
  • The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine perform at the Eurovision Village in Turin, Italy. AP Photo
    The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine perform at the Eurovision Village in Turin, Italy. AP Photo
  • Borussia Moenchengladbach fans and Ukraine supporters stand united ahead of the benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine. EPA
    Borussia Moenchengladbach fans and Ukraine supporters stand united ahead of the benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine. EPA
  • Children gather at a playground in Mariupol. Reuters
    Children gather at a playground in Mariupol. Reuters
  • Three Ukrainian policemen stand at an explosion site in Novomykolaivka, eastern Ukraine. AFP
    Three Ukrainian policemen stand at an explosion site in Novomykolaivka, eastern Ukraine. AFP
  • The Iron Spear 2022 military exercise led by Nato-enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Adazi, Latvia, on May 11. Reuters / Ints Kalnins
    The Iron Spear 2022 military exercise led by Nato-enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Adazi, Latvia, on May 11. Reuters / Ints Kalnins
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto shake hands in Helsinki, Finland, after signing a declaration between the UK and Finland to deepen their defence and security co-operation. Reuters
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto shake hands in Helsinki, Finland, after signing a declaration between the UK and Finland to deepen their defence and security co-operation. Reuters
  • Russian paratroopers go on the attack in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. EPA
    Russian paratroopers go on the attack in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. EPA
Racecard

5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m

57%20Seconds
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

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7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m

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7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m

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8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m

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8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m

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9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m

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