The UK will begin to reopen its embassy in Ukraine from next week, Boris Johnson has announced.
The embassy in Kyiv was shuttered in February as the Government urged British nationals to flee the Russian threat.
It is expected to reopen in early May, with the British ambassador due to head back to the Ukrainian capital.
The embassy premises are currently being made secure before staff return, starting with the UK ambassador Melinda Simmons, the Mirror understands.
The move is a sign of growing optimism over the state of the Russian advance.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Boris Johnson said: “The success of President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in resisting Russian forces in Kyiv means next week we will reopen our embassy in Ukraine's capital city.
"I want to pay tribute to those British diplomats who remained elsewhere throughout this period.
"The UK and our allies will not watch passively as Putin carries out his onslaught."
The move comes more than a week after Mr Johnson met the Ukrainian President in Kyiv, praising his "resolute leadership and invincible heroism".
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “The extraordinary fortitude and success of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in resisting Russian forces, means we will shortly be re-opening our British Embassy in Kyiv.
“I want to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the Embassy team and their work throughout this period”.
Downing Street accepted that the PM did not pressure his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to strengthen his position against Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.
No 10 said Mr Johnson did not raise India’s neutrality on the Russian invasion at the UN during his meeting in Delhi.
Western officials yesterday warned the war in Ukraine could continue until the end of this year.
Allies are understood to be braced to support Ukraine, including by sending weapons, equipment and cash, “for a prolonged period of conflict, through perhaps much of the rest of this year - at least we have to plan for that eventuality”.
They admitted Vladimir Putin might be able to claim victory, having reset his aims for the conflict - and could even launch a fresh bid to storm the capital.
Forces are fighting in the long-awaited Battle of the Donbas after Kremlin troops began their assault on the breakaway region in eastern Ukraine.
Mr Johnson added: "Putin will not be able to conquer the spirit of the Ukrainian people. That is just an observable fact."
