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Kyiv, Vilnius and Minsk: 19 August 2020 reviewed
Summary
A look back at the regional diplomatic moves in the days before 19 August 2020, and the death of a leading Ukrainian scientist.
How was Ukraine positioning itself towards Belarus by 19 August 2020? The days leading up to that date offered a clear picture, even as the day itself brought news of a different kind.
On 17 August 2020, Ukraine recalled its ambassador to Belarus. The stated aim was to assess what Kyiv called "the new reality" and the prospects for further bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries. The move came in the aftermath of the contested Belarusian presidential election.
A day later, on 18 August 2020, Lithuanian MPs approved economic sanctions against Belarus over the disputed vote. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said Lithuania was "sending a strong message to the world". Lithuania also refused to recognise Alexander Lukashenko as president.
The two decisions showed neighbouring governments responding to the Belarusian election outcome in different ways. Ukraine chose to recall its envoy and review the relationship. Lithuania chose sanctions and a refusal to recognise the Belarusian leader.
A loss for Ukrainian science
On 19 August 2020, Borys Paton, a prominent Ukrainian scientist, died at the age of 101, in his 102nd year. He had served as President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine from 1962 to 2020.
The date therefore carried two separate strands of Ukrainian public life: a regional diplomatic reassessment that was still unfolding, and the passing of a figure who had led the country's main academy of sciences for decades.
