Ukraine spent years trying to build a Western-style democracy. Then Russia invaded the country

Associated Pres

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s battle to repel Russia is a fight for the country’s survival as a Western-facing democracy. To survive, it has felt compelled to temporarily suspend or restrict some democratic ideals. Elections have been postponed, a once-robust media has been restrained, corruption-fighting has slipped down the agenda, and freedom of movement and assembly have been curbed by martial law. Ukrainians are tired and traumatized by a war in which victory feels remote. But by and large they do not feel powerless to influence events, something experts say is key to the country’s resilience and its ability to build a democracy long-term.