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Canada’s ambassador will return to Ukraine as soon as it’s safe, Joly says

May 4, 2022 | 10:19 AM

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine will return to the country as soon as it is safe.

Canada was among multiple nations that closed their diplomatic missions in Ukraine in February in the days leading up to and after the Russian invasion.

More than two dozen countries have since returned, including France, Italy and as of last week, the United Kingdom.

The United States is starting by sending diplomats on day trips into the western part of Ukraine before restoring the embassy presence in the capital of Kyiv.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited himself last week.

Joly did not respond when asked if she or any other Canadian political representative would visit Ukraine but said as soon as security can be cleared, Ambassador Larisa Galadza will return to the country.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2022.

The Canadian Press