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US reopens Embassy in Kyiv after 3 months
From left: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet on April 24, 2022 in Kyiv (Photo: Arab News via US Department of Defense via AFP)

The US State Department announced reopening of American embassy in Kyiv threes months after temporary closure and suspension of operations.

In a statement issued Wednesday (May 18), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that even though embassy personnel left in the days before Russia invaded Ukraine, this had no effect on American support for the people of Ukraine.

He said that when the embassy temporarily shuttered, the U.S. "pledged to continue our assistance" and work to eventually reopen.

Blinken said: "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 invasions, and, as a result, the Stars and Stripes are flying over the Embassy once again."

The United States Embassy to Ukraine stands closed on April 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Blinken said that with the reopening of the embassy, the U.S. has "put forward additional measures to increase the safety of our colleagues  and "enhanced our security measures and protocols."

The secretary was clear that this was not a statement of any kind of victory.

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"The war rages on.  Russia's forces inflict death and destruction on Ukrainian soil every day," he said, referencing millions of Ukrainian people who have lost their homes and family members.

He mentioned: "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 U.S. Embassy in Kyiv."

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