The U.K. will reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv next week, Boris Johnson announced Friday during a two-day visit to India.
Britain relocated its embassy to Lviv in the western side of the country in February, days before Russia invaded Ukraine.
More than 16 countries have reopened their embassies in Kyiv or have announced plans to do so, including the France, Italy, Poland and Spain. The Netherlands has also sent its diplomats back to Ukraine but will operate from Lviv.
Johnson made the announcement of the return at a press conference in New Delhi where he has been holding talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He appeared to accept he had not pressed Modi on his decision not to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, telling journalists when asked: “They can see what is going on and there is an increasing appetite to do more with the U.K.” He claimed India had been “very strong” in its language over 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 “he was not there to talk to another democratic country about what actions they should take.”
Johnson also faced questions about the partygate scandal at home, which has seen him face calls to quit this week, but insisted he would still be prime minister by the time the U.K. hopes to sign a trade deal in October.
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