Andrei Kurkov, a Ukrainian author, provided insights into life in Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In an interview with SWI swissinfo.ch during his visit to Switzerland for the Geneva Summit on Human Rights and Democracy, Kurkov expressed disappointment with Switzerland's behavior during this period. While Switzerland is traditionally a neutral country, Kurkov believes that neutrality does not justify dealing with an aggressor country. He criticized Switzerland for not allowing others to send weapons produced in Switzerland to Ukraine, which he sees as a serious issue that could lead to more civilian casualties if Ukraine cannot defend itself.

Since the invasion, Kurkov's focus has shifted from fiction writing to documenting the war and its impact on Ukrainians. He stated that he has been unable to write any fiction in the last 15 months and can only write about the war and its consequences. Kurkov, known for his surreal and fantastic fiction, previously spoke eleven languages but now only speaks six.

Regarding the Russian and Ukrainian languages, Kurkov explained that the Russian language and culture in Ukraine have become victims of Putin's aggression. There has been a decline in Russian speakers, and bookshops are hesitant to sell books in Russian. The invasion has influenced the perception of the Russian language, which is now often associated with the enemy's language. Kurkov expressed concern about Kyiv's ongoing shelling and explosions and the fear permeating the country. He emphasized the importance of international awareness and action against Russia's actions in Ukraine, including Switzerland's role in humanitarian issues, arms exports, and future reconstruction efforts.

Kurkov acknowledged that Ukraine has its own struggles with corruption and discussed the ongoing fight against corruption in the country. He also shared his views on President Zelensky, stating that he has significant support in Ukraine but faces criticism from various groups. Kurkov sees the criticism as a sign of democracy and political freedom in Ukraine.
While Kurkov admires Switzerland's stability and harmony as an example of an ideal country, he believes that Ukraine, being in a state of war, cannot afford to be neutral like Switzerland. He sees Ukraine's future as part of the force that defends the country.

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