Embassy of Russia, Kyiv

The Embassy of Russia in Kyiv was the diplomatic mission of Russia to Ukraine. The chancery was located at 27 Povitroflotskyi Prospekt in Ukraine's capital Kyiv.[2]

Embassy of Russia in Kyiv
LocationKyiv
Address27 Povitroflotskyi Prospekt, 04112 Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates50.433601°N 30.471826°E / 50.433601; 30.471826
AmbassadorPost vacant since 28 July 2016[1]
Relations terminated on 24 February 2022

History

Following the independence of Ukraine on 24 August 1991, Russia recognized Ukraine's independence on 5 December 1991. Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia were established on 14 February 1992 by the signing of the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. On 6 August 1992, Russia opened an embassy in Kyiv.

During early March 2014, demonstrations were held outside the Russian embassy in Kyiv in response to a Russian intervention in Crimea.[3] On 14 June 2014 between 200 and 300 protesters overturned several cars of embassy staff and replaced the Russian flag with the flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army in protest against Russian governmental involvement in the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine.[4][5] The protests were followed by "negotiations" (organised by the Security Service of Ukraine) between protesters and the embassy's staff.[6] During these, the protesters demanded that the personnel of the Russian embassy "as a hotbed of anti-Ukrainian activities" should immediately leave Ukraine and that Russia should recognize that it was waging an undeclared war against Ukraine.[6][7]

On 23 February 2022, the embassy was evacuated for what were described as safety reasons.[8] The day after, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, prompting Ukraine to sever all formal diplomatic relations with Russia.[9]

On 20 April 2023 the Kyiv City Council terminated (the Russian) lease contract of the building.[10] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko appealed to the Ukrainian government to return the property leased by the “Russian barbarians” to the state.[10]

Previous ambassadors
  1. Leonid Smolyakov (1991–1996)
  2. Yuri Dubinin (1996–1999)
  3. Ivan Aboimov (1999–2001)
  4. Viktor Chernomyrdin (2001–2009)
  5. Vsevolod Loskutov (2009), Chargé d'Affaires ad interim
  6. Mikhail Zurabov (2009–2016)[11]
  7. Sergey L. Toropov (2016), Chargé d'Affaires ad interim[1]
  8. Aleksandr Lukashyk (2016–2022), Chargé d'Affaires ad interim
  9. Vladimir Zheglov (2022), Chargé d'Affaires ad interim

See also

References
  1. Ukraine's MFA: Appointment of Russia's ambassador to Ukraine no longer on agenda, UNIAN (4 August 2016)
  2. О Посольстве РФ (in Russian). Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  3. Rudenko, Olga. "Protesters in Ukraine capital: 'Hands off, Russia'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  4. migration (2014-06-14). "Ukrainian protesters tear down Russian embassy flag in Kiev". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  5. "People picketing Russian Embassy in Kyiv as sign of protest against Russia's policy". Interfax-Ukraine. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  6. (in Ukrainian) Activists gave their demands, Ukrayinska Pravda (14 June 2014)
  7. Litvishko, Pyotr (2015). "International Law Aspects of the Criminal Proceedings concerning the Attack on the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kiev", in The Tragedy of Southeastern Ukraine. The White Book of Crimes, Ed. by Alexander I. Bastrykin (2nd ed.). Moscow: The RF Investigative Committee. pp. 329–39. ISBN 978-5-9906835-2-5.
  8. "Russia evacuates diplomats from Ukraine, takes down mission flags". Reuters. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  9. Kitsoft. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine - Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Regarding the Severance of Diplomatic Relations with the Russian Federation". mfa.gov.ua. Archived from the original on 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  10. "Kyiv terminates Russian embassy's lease, demands return of diplomatic mission premises to state". Meduza. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  11. Ukraine president vows not to give up Crimea, The Guardian (7 June 2014)
    Ukraine's Poroshenko sworn in and sets out peace plan, BBC News (7 June 2014)
    Excerpts from Poroshenko's speech, BBC News (7 June 2014)
    Ukraine’s President Poroshenko pushes for peace at inauguration, Euronews (7 June 2014)
    Poroshenko offers escape for rebels but no compromise over weapons, Euronews (7 June 2014)
    (in Ukrainian) Speech by President of Ukraine during the inauguration ceremony. Full text, Ukrayinska Pravda (7 June 2014)
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