About a decade and a half ago, a Ukrainian writer visited Barcelona to present a book. Since then, many people have embarked on a difficult journey not only with the identity of a Slavic country but also with the experience of living under a large Russian threat. With a new work in hand, a diary and travelogue hybrid filled with political observations, it is nearly impossible to discuss his literary output without confronting the hard truths of today. Pain and conflict dominate the discourse.
The book, which reads as a diary, a travel book, and a record of political notes, includes a chapter about 1990s Moscow, portraying the city as a monster whose affection could flare into danger. Do you feel the same today?
Three decades ago a book about the Russian capital explored its allure and power. In later writings, certain nuances were added: while Moscow remains impressive, a different view might be valued elsewhere. The author notes that the future path is shaped by a shared responsibility to keep the country strong. The facts have proven that prognosis right in many ways.
Was the 1991 independence a turning point for battered Ukrainian literature?
The material conditions were challenging, with shortages common. Yet a fundamental gain occurred: freedom of expression linked to a growing collective conscience. Before the collapse of the Soviet system, censorship shaped what could be said. After 1991, many began writing in their own language, a shift that expanded national literature, though there are still few Ukrainian authors translated into major languages.
What role do writers play in public debates in the country?
Social media has become an important platform for discussion. On social networks, writers frequently publish critically engaged pieces and then engage in more formal conversations with leaders and thinkers alike.
Corruption and poverty have long been described by Western media as defining Ukraine.
With independence, Ukraine has made gains while facing corruption and widespread poverty. Has the war shifted attention to these issues?
These issues have long been labeled as Ukraine’s defining traits by some Western outlets, but they do not capture the full picture. A civil society, anchored by a strong middle class, actively fights corruption and seeks to resist civil decline seen elsewhere. Those movements have been well documented by global media.
Have some outlets changed their portrayal of Ukraine?
Yes, though it came at a cost for many outlets to adjust their narrative.
Are these new portrayals more accurate now?
Certainly. It is easy to claim there is more surface than substance, yet journalists have also described daily life, art, and culture with care and depth.
Ukraine will not surrender, and those who support it must rethink expectations.
Is the view that the conflict could have been avoided by broader war reflections familiar to you?
That line of thought is unhelpful. Ukraine will not quit, and those who hold that view should reconsider. The aim is clear: a decisive result with lasting effects.
Is pacifism a viable option amid a stalemate?
Pacifism belongs to a different realm. Surrender invites occupation and violence. Seeing the consequences in affected towns underscores the price of resignation.
Did the leader pursue disarmament strategies, or is it a tactic to intimidate?
There is no need to hesitate. The aim is to influence Western decision-makers, not to threaten the public. The important factor is to resist fear and maintain resolve against aggression.
Are Russian writers who left the country cited in discussions like these likely to influence outcomes?
Possibly. Yet the central question remains: what can be done now and what must be done to prevail on the battlefield and in public life?
What would victory look like in the long run? Can there be lasting peace?
Historically, territories were regained when Russian forces were defeated. Victory means international recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty, membership in NATO and the European Union. Those three pillars define success.
But could a neighbor still hold power and demand respect?
That is Ukraine’s concern. If European integration strengthens, regional dynamics will adjust and Russia may have to adapt its approach to be treated as a neighbor with limits.
Will the conflict inspire literary work? Will there be writing about it?
War will appear in future chapters, though not in direct, explicit form. It is difficult to focus on pure fiction when the country is immersed in urgent public life. Writers, as witnesses of their era, will inevitably reflect what they experience in their work.