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What did Ukraine say about Iranian missile buyers?
Summary
A look back at security reports from late March 2018, as Ukraine described expelling two Iranians over an attempted missile purchase.
What was Ukraine's government saying about security as of 2 April 2018? The most recent reports before that date, from 28 and 30 March 2018, pointed to arms, sanctions and the aftermath of a poisoning in Britain.
Expulsion of two Iranians
On 30 March 2018, the government of Ukraine stated that it had expelled two Iranians earlier in the year. According to Kyiv, they had tried to buy a Kh-31 missile in the Ukrainian capital, which would have violated United Nations sanctions.
Reaction to the Skripal poisoning
On 28 March 2018, reactions continued to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, himself the victim of a September 2004 poisoning, called for military action against Russia to be considered.
Poland's Patriot deal
On the same day, Poland signed a deal with the United States to buy a Patriot missile system for US$4.75 billion.
Taken together, the reports from those days showed missiles and the response to the poisoning of the Skripals among the security matters in the news in the region at the start of April 2018.
