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What did Kyiv's politics hold before 14 January 2021?
Summary
A look back at three developments in the days before 14 January 2021: a Moldovan presidential visit, US sanctions and a strict lockdown.
What was shaping Ukraine's political agenda on 14 January 2021? In the preceding days, three developments stood out: a new Moldovan president's first trip abroad, American sanctions on Ukrainian figures, and a tightened national lockdown.
Moldova's president in Ukraine
On 12 January 2021, Moldovan President Maia Sandu arrived in Ukraine for 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 Ukrainian politicians
On 11 January 2021, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on seven Ukrainian politicians, among them Oleksandr Dubinsky, Kostiantyn Kulyk and Oleksandr Onyshchenko. Four media outlets were also targeted: Era-Media, Only News, NabuLeaks and Skeptik. The measures were linked to interference in the US presidential election and participation in a Russian foreign influence network.
Stricter lockdown
On 8 January 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduced a strict quarantine running until 24 January, as part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the country.
Taken together, these events show Ukraine dealing with regional diplomacy, foreign sanctions and public health restrictions in the same week.
