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Tymoshenko's COVID-19 illness and a week of loss
Summary
A look back at reports from 19 to 23 August 2020 involving Ukrainian public life and neighbouring Hungary's border plans.
What was the picture in Ukraine and its neighbourhood on 25 August 2020? The reports available from the days just before that date point to illness, mourning and tighter borders.
Tymoshenko reported seriously ill
On 23 August 2020, it was reported that former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was in serious condition after testing positive for COVID-19. The information came from one of her party's spokespeople, and the account was described as reported rather than independently confirmed.
A scientist's death
On 19 August 2020, the death was reported of Borys Paton, a prominent Ukrainian scientist who served as President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine from 1962 to 2020. He was 101 years old, in his 102nd year.
Hungary tightens its border
In neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on state radio on 21 August 2020 that border crossing rules would be tightened from 1 September. The stated aim was to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as the number of new infections rose in neighbouring countries.
Taken together, the reports from the days leading up to 25 August 2020 show how the pandemic was reaching into political life in Ukraine and shaping border policy in a neighbouring EU state.
