Italy is re-opening embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and plans for its envoy, Pier Francesco Zazo, to return there from the western city of Lviv "after Easter", according to foreign minister Luigi Di Maio.
"We are re-opening our embassy in Kyiv this week, which was moved to Liviv and are putting in place all the necessary security to allow Ambassador Zazo's return," Di Maio said.
"The presence of our ambassador in Kyiv will help take forward diplomatic negotiations for peace...it will be very important," Di Maio added.
"These are days of great trepidation," he said.
Zazo's anticipated return to Kyiv comes after Russian forces withdrew from areas around the capital in late March.
After Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, Italy transferred its embassy to Lviv, where Russian ground forces have not arrived and which has been relatively unscathed by shelling and bombardments.
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