What changed in Kyiv and Washington by 17 March 2018?

What had shifted in Ukraine's military and financial leadership, and in Western pressure on Russia, by 17 March 2018? The days leading up to that Saturday brought several notable decisions.

A new command structure

On 16 March 2018, President Petro Poroshenko appointed Serhiy Nayev as commander of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The body was created to replace the Anti-Terrorist Operation Staff.

Central bank leadership changes

On 15 March 2018, the Verkhovna Rada dismissed Valeriya Hontareva as head of the National Bank of Ukraine and appointed Yakiv Smolii in her place.

Support for service members

Also on 15 March 2018, Poroshenko signed amendments to the law on the social and legal protection of military personnel and their families. The changes were aimed at removing social injustice in giving service members the right to receive cash compensation for renting housing.

Sanctions from Washington

On the same day, the Trump administration imposed financial sanctions on 19 Russian nationals under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Twelve of them were among those indicted in the Special Counsel investigation. The act, which imposes sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia, had been signed into law on 2 August 2017 by President Donald Trump, who nevertheless believed the legislation was seriously flawed.