Home › Politics › What did US sanctions on Ukrainian politicians target?
What did US sanctions on Ukrainian politicians target?
Summary
A look back at the US Treasury's sanctions announced against seven Ukrainian politicians and four media outlets, and at the lockdown in force in Ukraine at the time.
What did Washington announce on 11 January 2021? The US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainian politicians, among them Oleksandr Dubinsky, Kostiantyn Kulyk and Oleksandr Onyshchenko.
The measures also covered four media outlets: Era-Media, Only News, NabuLeaks and Skeptik. According to the announcement, the sanctions were imposed over interference in the United States presidential election and participation in a Russian foreign influence network.
A country under lockdown
The news came while Ukraine was living under tight pandemic restrictions. On 8 January 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers had introduced a strict lockdown in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, to remain in force until 24 January.
The two developments were separate, but both shaped the start of the year in Ukraine: one a decision taken in Washington naming Ukrainian figures and outlets, the other a domestic public health measure that applied nationwide.
