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Ukraine's campaign began as Moscow widened sanctions
Summary
A look back at 31 December 2018, when a presidential race formally opened and Russia's expanded trade curbs had just been announced.
What did Ukraine's political calendar look like on 31 December 2018? That day, the presidential election campaign began in the country, opening a new phase in domestic politics.
Two days earlier, on 29 December 2018, the Government of the Russian Federation had expanded its sanctions against Ukraine. The measures banned imports from Ukraine of industrial goods, agricultural products and foodstuffs, according to an approved list.
The two developments were separate, and the reports do not link them. Still, they meant the campaign opened against a backdrop of tightened trade restrictions from Russia, covering both manufactured and food goods.
For international readers, the date is useful as a marker. A formal start to the race set the course for the political contest, while the Russian decision showed that economic pressure was being extended rather than eased as the year ended.
