After Russian forces retreated from attacking Kyiv last month, over 24 embassies have returned to the Ukrainian capital marking the return of diplomatic relations and representation with the war-torn country.
Mariia Mezentseva in Le Soir on Sunday, urged Belgium to reopen diplomatic relations in Ukraine. Others are in the “process of doing the same,” she stated.
“We have prepared a letter to Belgian Foreign Affairs to support their return,” said Mazentseva. “They can settle in Lviv, in Kyiv, whatever the embassy chooses. But it is time for them to come back.”
Having just returned from Ukraine from an invitation from Mezentseva, Belgian politician George Dallemagne could confirm the eagerness to reopen diplomatic channels in Ukraine. “25 Member States have a representation in Ukraine, though not always in Kyiv,” Dallemagne said in Le Soir.
“The Netherlands has just reopened its embassy in the capital. I questioned the Prime Minister, we have been told for almost a month now that the issue is being studied.”
Dallemagne believes that while security issues are crucial, they shouldn’t be overestimated. “Obviously, Kyiv is still a city where strikes can happen, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But I think we can envisage a flexible diplomatic representation in Kyiv, in Lviv, with an option to withdraw to the Polish border.”
The Belgian politician stressed that any representation would evolve according to the security situation. But “it is becoming urgent to offer Ukrainians assistance to deal effectively with reconstruction issues and coordinate requests for equipment more directly,” Dallemagne underlined.