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Sandu's Kyiv visit and US sanctions on Ukrainians
Summary
A look back at the diplomatic and political news around Ukraine in the days leading up to 13 January 2021.
What was Kyiv dealing with on 13 January 2021? Two developments from the preceding days framed the moment: a new neighbouring president's first trip abroad, and a round of American sanctions aimed at Ukrainian figures.
On 12 January 2021, Moldovan President Maia Sandu arrived in Ukraine on her first foreign visit as president. Both countries said they were willing to join the Three Seas Initiative and the European Union.
A day earlier, on 11 January 2021, the US Treasury Department had imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainian politicians. They included Oleksandr Dubinsky, Kostiantyn Kulyk and Oleksandr Onyshchenko. Four media outlets were also targeted: Era-Media, Only News, NabuLeaks and Skeptik. The Treasury cited interference in the US presidential election and participation in a Russian foreign influence network.
The two items pointed in different directions for Ukraine. One showed shared European ambitions with Moldova. The other put several Ukrainian politicians and outlets under American sanctions.
