Kyiv says it terminates land lease deal with Russian Embassy

A police officer and members of the Ukrainian National Guard stand in front of the Russian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine February 23, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

(Reuters) - Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Thursday said the city had terminated the Russian Embassy's deal to lease land in the capital and wanted the property to be returned to the Ukrainian state.

Ukraine broke off relations with Russia after the February 2022 invasion. There are no Russian diplomats in the embassy building, which lies to the west of the city centre.