The embassy had temporarily been transferred to to Lviv in western Ukraine in early March following Russia’s invasion.
Italian Ambassador Pier Francesco Zazo and his staff returned to the Kyiv embassy over the Easter weekend and resumed operations from Monday.
The news was announced by Italy’s foreign ministry, which said on Twitter that “Italy stands by Ukrainian institutions and reaffirms the commitment to assist Italian nationals, promote dialogue and support solutions towards peace and the end of hostilities”.
“The reopening of our embassy in Kiev represents for us an exciting and hopeful moment more than 50 days after the beginning of the conflict,” Zazo said following the announcement.
“Today we feel even closer to the government and the Ukrainian people and we will continue to assist our compatriots in the best possible way.”
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said the transfer intended to demonstrate the need to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
“Ambassador Zazo will be working with Ukrainian institutions for diplomacy and to reach at least a ceasefire,” he added.
Di Maio also noted that the Italian embassy had been “among the last to leave the Ukrainian capital and is now among the first to return”.
The minister thanked Zazo and his staff “for their courage and dedication”, including for their work in Lviv over recent weeks, stating that of the 2000 Italians to be evacuated there are 139 left.
It is probable that other countries will soon follow Italy and the EU’s suit in order to demonstrate the importance of maintaining diplomatic dialogue.
