I wanted to read Andrey Kurkov's Ukraine Diaries to get a better understanding of life in Ukraine during 2013/14 after negotiations on the EU Association Agreement were suspended. Kurkov describes the complex picture of a country on the edge of Europe with Russia as a constant and interfering neighbour. Set out in a diary form, most days Kurkov relates stories from the news, his own observations and snippets of family life, although he likes to maintain privacy. He describes the Maidan protests in Kiev against the Yanukovych presidency and the annexation of Crimea by Russia. This book gave me a wider understanding of the situation and was an interesting read, although it feels ultimately sad as he thinks about the success of independent Ukraine and can see no optimistic future for his country. Ukraine feels deserted by Europe, 'Money matters more than democracy,' he writes, as Europe continues to trade with Russia. 'This cynical lesson that Europe has taught Ukraine will inevitably influence the future of my country.' Kurkov also writes that he has lost his sense of humour, this isn't surprising but I hope it returns. ( )

I've been interested in and troubled by the conflict in Ukraine, a country I'd love to visit one day, since the anti-Yanukovych protests began in November 2013. Since I'm not very good at following news reports, however, this book by the novelist [[Andrey Kurkov]] seemed a good way to learn more about the situation.

The diary entries run from the unexpected announcement in November 2013 that the Yanukovych Government would not be signing an association agreement with the EU, but would instead be developing its cooperation with Russia, to the end of April 2014, by which point Crimea had been annexed and fighting in the east of Ukraine had become the normality.

First off, I can say that it's enlightening to have the perspective of someone is Ukrainian (and not a politician). In the Western media, the conflict is often portrayed as one between ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic Russians. As a Russian-born, Russian-speaking Ukrainian who would like to see his country loosen its ties with Russia and become more open and democratic, Kurkov demonstrates perfectly that the situation is more complicated than that. The divisions really concern the kind of society in which Ukrainians would like to live and how they would like to be governed. These divisions also exist in Russia, but, seemingly, with a greater majority in favour of Putin's authoritarian style.

While supportive of the "Euromaidan" movement, Kurkov is not, himself, part of it and is able to observe its failings. One of the accusations frequently levelled by Russia is that some of those in favour of a closer relationship with Europe are "fascists". Well, yes, some of them are, as Kurkov makes clear, but most of them are not and their involvement does nothing to denigrate the cause of those who want a more open and accountable type of government.

It was also interesting to learn Kurkov's views on those politicians who became known to us during the Orange Revolution, in particular Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, about whom I've not been sure what to think, given the disillusionment that has set in since 2004. Needless to say, he is presenting just one point of view, but his is as good as any and I'm happy to trust it.

When not watching news reports, walking through Kiev to observe the situation for himself and generally worrying about his country, Kurkov is visiting his house in the country, spending time with his wife and children, travelling for work and meeting with friends. I appreciated these details, not just as light relief but also to set the wider events in some kind of context. Yes, the country is in turmoil, but life has to and does go on.

Obviously, the story is not over yet and I can only hope that Kurkov has continued to keep a diary and that it will see publication, as I have learned much more from his diary entries than I could ever glean simply from news articles.