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Ukraine's mid-January 2021: language rule, Moldovan visit, US sanctions
Summary
A look back at three developments in Ukraine reported in the days up to 17 January 2021.
What was Ukraine dealing with on 17 January 2021? Reports from the preceding days point to a language rule taking effect, a visit from Moldova's new president and US sanctions against Ukrainian politicians.
Service in Ukrainian
On 16 January 2021, a provision of the Law on Language took effect in Ukraine under which citizens must be served in Ukrainian.
Moldova's president visits
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.
US sanctions
On 11 January 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainian politicians, among them Oleksandr Dubinsky, Kostyantyn Kulyk and Oleksandr Onyshchenko. Four media outlets were also targeted: Era-Media, Only News, NabuLeaks and Skeptik. The measures cited interference in the US presidential election and participation in a Russian foreign influence network.
Taken together, the reports show a week in which language policy at home, regional diplomacy with Moldova and a US sanctions decision all drew attention in Ukraine.
