Editor’s Note: As Ukraine celebrates its grand 30th anniversary, Kyiv Post staff — Ukrainians and foreigners — reflect on what they love and don’t love about the country.
Brian Bonner, chief editor
What I love: The dynamism that anything can happen on any given day. (See also what I don’t love.) This comes from strength of character. Ukrainians have suffered many injustices, many of which they can’t control, but everyone can choose to be happy or unhappy, no matter the circumstances. Enjoy life, no matter what.
What I don’t love: That anything can happen on any given day — war, murder, stealing — all with impunity. While Ukrainians are, by and large, patriots who love their country, too many people with power put their selfish personal greed above the national interest and shamelessly devalue human life. It’s disgusting.
Olga Rudenko, deputy chief editor
What I love: The overwhelming, electrifying sense of potential. The feeling that modern Ukraine is a project in the making, a startup. There is no “make Ukraine great again” nostalgia. Our greatness is in the future and we’re yet to find out what it looks like. I find it very exciting.
What I don’t love: Endemic corruption and impunity. The fact that major institutes, such as the rule of law, have not been formed yet. Extreme poverty of the senior population. Lack of diversity and tolerance, especially towards LGBTQ people.
Toma Istomina, lifestyle editor
What I love: Above everything else I adore our freedom-loving nature. It’s a shame Ukraine had to lose so many of its very best people in the centuries-long fight for independence, for the right to speak Ukrainian and cultivate its own culture. But it was the only way around under oppression for the brave and dedicated nation that we are. Thanks to those sacrifices, we maintained the Ukrainian identity and are what we are now — a vibrant country with a promising future. I will forever be grateful to our ancestors for the history and heritage that I am proud of.
What I don’t love: Though we proved to be able to consolidate at the time of a crisis, we often lack unity in peaceful times. Most of Ukraine’s attempts to become independent failed partly because of internal quarrels. In modern Ukraine, competition and envy often get in the way of the country’s progress: Civil activists that advocate for the same rights, politicians with similar reformist views disagree and split. We need to learn to keep in mind our common, bigger purpose of making Ukraine a truly democratic prosperous state.
Dylan Carter, business reporter
What I love: Ukraine is full of little surprises. It is both unbelievably modern and deeply traditional. Electronic passports, terminals to pay any utility bill, the best online banking and fast affordable internet are innovations rarely found in other countries. At the same time, Ukraine’s historic churches, monuments and institutions still root the country within a shared European cultural heritage.
What I don’t love: Despite all Ukraine’s beauty and technological development, some basic services remain painfully underfunded. Little is done to combat pollution, local infrastructure is left to crumble, and Soviet architectural heritage is often neglected in favor of run-of-the-mill modern high-rise buildings. In the race to modernize the nation, successive governments have favoured grandiose projects rather than improving the lives of ordinary Ukrainians.
Oleg Sukhov, politics reporter
What I love: Ukraine has the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly, which is a major upside compared with nearby dictatorships like Russia and Belarus. It also has the tradition of regularly replacing governments — either through democratic elections or through revolutions, if democratic procedures are spurned by authoritarian leaders. I also love the fact that, compared to Russia and Belarus, the influence of the Western civilization in Ukraine has been stronger historically.
What I don’t love: The absence of the rule of law, corruption and omnipresent poverty. As a result of some elements of pre-Soviet traditionalism and Soviet legacy, there are no properly functioning government institutions and little public understanding of the rule of law and individual rights. Statism, populism and paternalism prevail. The economy is overregulated and hampered by corruption and a lack of independent and fair courts. This entails poverty.
Daria Shulzhenko, lifestyle reporter
What I love: Although one can not fully rely on the government in Ukraine (also what I don’t like), activists and volunteers are always here to help. Every day, thousands of them do their utmost to make Ukraine a better place to live in: They raise money for people’s expensive medical treatment, supply the army with the needed equipment and food, support the elderly, homeless and others in need, try to make cities more inclusive for people with disabilities as well as protest against cruelty and injustice. Without their civic and political engagement, Ukraine wouldn’t have been the country it is today.
What I don’t love: Corruption is among Ukraine’s biggest enemies. Not only is it a financial loss for the country, but it also impacts Ukraine’s reputation worldwide and prevents it from developing. Racism, gender inequality, attacks on journalists and activists, as well as violence against the LGBTQ community are still thriving in the country.
Alyona Nevmerzhytska, commercial director
What I love: This is my land and of course I love it. These years of pandemic allowed us to explore Ukraine and realize that it is even more beautiful than we thought — the places which used to be hidden gems all across the country have become popular destinations. I like Ukrainians’ readiness for innovations and progress, as well as the spirit of freedom and democracy.
What I don’t love: Having worked in the media sector for almost 9 years I became frustrated that very often, especially in rural regions, Ukrainians do not analyze the quality of media resources that they consume. They are not aware of the ownership of the media resource and they become vulnerable to manipulations, as the truth is twisted.
Sergii Leshchenko, columnist
What I love: Ukraine is a country of opportunities, there is still a huge vacuum in different markets and space for business development and personal growth. The service sector is competitive. It surprises foreigners a lot, as they find it much better than in their own countries: from supermarkets and gas stations to ophthalmology and dentistry. With all nuances, Ukraine is the leader among the countries of the region in terms of democracy. We actually change the ruling elites, there is a non-stop anti-corruption fight and the voice of civil society sounds loud and can’t be ignored.
What I don’t love: Ukraine is still a state hijacked by oligarchs. They continue to use politics to create a non-competitive environment. But the demand of society to correct this status-quo is huge. Also, I do not like the habit of Ukrainians to be constantly focused on negativity and complain about life on social media. And also I don’t like toilets in all public places: neither in the Verkhovna Rada or the Pechersky Court, nor in the Boryspil airport.
Asami Terajima, business reporter
What I love: Ukraine is an undiscovered Eastern European gem that will gain popularity in the future. The country has everything, from bustling and vibrant city life to beaches and mountains to appreciate nature. Ukraine’s centuries-old history that dates back to Kyivan Rus and the breathtaking historic churches still standing today make the country so special, different from the rest. Easily accessible parks even in the center of the city also make it appealing.
What I don’t love: Poor road infrastructure that often disrupts traffic in the city is one of the downsides. Sometimes there is a bridge that is being reconstructed for over three months, and then after a while it needs to be done again because it wasn’t done well the first time. Electricity and water go out for hours sometimes and this can be very inconvenient. And while certain things like the digital payment method are far more advanced than in developed countries like Japan, I still have to hold on to a big bulk of legal paperwork just to stay here as a foreigner.
Anastasiia Lapatina, politics reporter
What I love: Having experienced centuries of brutal repressions, Ukrainian people have always had to fight for their independence and freedom, their culture, and the ability to speak their mother tongue. This has made Ukrainians into a freedom-loving nation, who have staged three revolutions in just 30 years. We fought for our independence, for our right to vote, and for our freedom from tyranny and Russia. We overthrew a dictator. Nothing makes me more proud than knowing that in times of crises, Ukraine can unite and fight for their rights. This is also what makes Ukraine so unique compared to its post-Soviet neighbours. We can gather freely near the president’s office to protest for any cause, including better protections for the LGBTQ community. This would be unimaginable in Russia or Belarus.
What I don’t love: Ukrainian society still has a long way to go to become truly progressive and liberal. People of colour still often feel uncomfortable while in Ukraine, as racism is rampant. Same goes for gender equality — domestic violence is endemic, and deeply rooted stereotypes and gender roles affect all parts of Ukrainian society.
Natalia Datskevych, business reporter
What I love: The nature in Ukraine is beautiful when you leave the big cities. The Dnipro River alone is breathtaking. And people in villages are often very kind, open and generous. They have really big hearts. There are also many talented artists, singers, engineers, doctors and athletes in Ukraine. They are like a shield for the country, its engine and great hope.
What I don’t love: There’s a terrible attitude towards waste management, ecology and little desire to change that. The country is mired in corruption scandals and the interests of oligarchs, for whom statehood and national development mean nothing.
Alexander Query, senior business reporter
What I love: Ukraine represents a form of freedom and hospitality I rarely perceived anywhere else in the world. Each of its cities has a peculiar charm that makes it stands out, but Kyiv’s history, enshrined with magic — it was the only city welcoming witches during the wave of trials that shook Europe in the Dark Ages after all — makes it even more spellbinding. This city has an energy like no other, which puts it on the map competing with the most advanced capitals in Western Europe.
What I don’t love: Despite progress on tolerance since the EuroMaidan Revolution, Ukraine still has a long way to go for minorities to feel safe. Lack of progress on corruption on a daily basis, putting Ukraine’s path to reforms and to an open market also makes it hard to believe in a fully functional country in the near future. Oh, and salo. Not a fan of salo.
Olena Goncharova, Canada reporter
What I love: Ukraine is my homeland and I love it by default: Having lived 7,000 kilometers away from it for the last three years makes me love and miss it even more. I love it for its vibrancy, true character one can feel in a buzzing city as well as in a remote village in the Carpathian Mountains, for the best looking restaurants and amazing coffee in pretty much any coffee shop.
What I don’t love: There are a few things that upset me: unfriendly border officers at Boryspil airport, bad infrastructure that doesn’t allow tourists and locals to appreciate Ukraine’s beauty, endemic corruption that is very slow to eradicate, nepotism, racism and lack of trust in the government.
Elina Kent, lifestyle reporter and podcast producer
What I love: Ukraine has had this vein of energy that if you tap into you cannot get enough of it. There are people with innovative ideas, creative businesses and movements. Many say that Kyiv is entering its golden era in terms of culture and the underground art scene. There’s a reason why expats and foreigners that work here even for a short time either stay for longer or continuously return to this country. Because they fall in love with Ukraine. I love meeting people here, there are so many different types that inspire you, interest you and wow you.
What I don’t love: Sometimes you find a lack of belief in their own country, especially in the rural areas. This happens due to corruption, distrust and lack of reform. The police that harass young people and businesses in neighborhoods like Podil in order to make quick cash. The lack of laws protecting minorities such as the very much real queer community that yet thrives underground. I don’t love how the government hasn’t been on top of their game in terms of the coronavirus pandemic.
Iryna Yavorska, multimedia journalist
What I love: I love Ukraine for its diversity. There is a place for everything and everyone. One can go west to enjoy cold rainy weather in the mountains or travel south to explore the hot steppe and the seaside. I love our brave people. I love embroidered shirts and woven scarves. I love our incredible library of music — from the 1980s funk to the modern underground electronic music. I love our language, which I consider the most beautiful in the world. All in all, I just love Ukraine for the thousand reasons there are to love it.
What I don’t love: I would like Ukrainians to be more proud of heritage. We need to learn our history and culture better and stop doubting how cool we are.
