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What happened in Ukrainian politics by 29 June 2020?
Summary
A look back at 29 June 2020, when a new education minister's record drew attention and Europe weighed border reopening and Libya's oilfield dispute.
What was the political mood in and around Ukraine on 29 June 2020? The reports available from the days leading up to that date point to a new government appointment in Kyiv and two wider European questions.
A new education minister
On 25 June 2020, Serhiy Shkarlet was elected Ukraine's minister of education. As reported at the time, he had previously been caught plagiarising and was known for a fondness for expensive cars. That background shaped how the appointment was received.
Europe weighs its borders
On 24 June 2020, ambassadors of EU member states met to develop criteria for reopening the bloc's external borders to travellers on 1 July. European Commission guidance said that non-EU countries whose COVID-19 situation was comparable to or better than the EU average would make the safe list. That assessment would cover new infections, the trend in infections, and testing and tracing. Reciprocity and links to the EU would also be considered. Under these rules, travellers from countries such as Brazil, Russia and the United States could be barred.
Libya and Russian mercenaries
On 27 June 2020, Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord called on the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions on individuals and mercenaries. This followed a statement by the National Oil Corporation that Russian mercenaries and other foreign actors had forced their way into the Sharara oilfield.
Together, these items show a regional picture that combined a domestic appointment in Kyiv with pandemic-era border planning and a dispute over a Libyan oilfield involving Russian mercenaries.
