What did Ukraine and its neighbours face on 2 April 2018?
A look back at the reform, telecoms and security developments reported in Ukraine and nearby in the days up to 2 April 2018.
What was shaping Ukraine's public life and its neighbourhood on 2 April 2018? Reports from the preceding days pointed to a mix of domestic reform and international tension.
On 1 April 2018, the official national campaign for choosing a family doctor began, as part of the healthcare reform. It was a visible step in that reform, putting a new relationship between patients and primary-care doctors in front of the public.
On 30 March 2018, the mobile operators lifecell and Vodafone launched 4G services.
Security reactions abroad
The poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal continued to draw international responses. On 27 March 2018, NATO and the government of Australia expelled Russian diplomats. On 28 March 2018, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who was himself poisoned in September 2004, called for military action against Russia to be considered.
Also on 28 March 2018, Poland signed a deal with the United States to buy a Patriot missile system for US$4.75 billion.
Taken together, the reports from those days show reform steps at home alongside a tense security climate in the wider region.
