Ukraine: Uncertain Nation

Ukraine, which traces its name back to the early Slavic word for ‘borderland’, is a country of unfortunate geography. Sandwiched between Europe and a resurgent Russia, it is a state divided along cultural, religious and political lines. Since gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, political crises, from the Orange Revolution of 2004 to the Euromaidan uprisings of 2014, coupled with rampant corruption and oligarchy, have derailed Ukraine's progress. Yet despite these problems, it is a country of outstanding human and natural resources. A visitor to Ukraine cannot fail to recognise its potential role as a bridge between its powerful neighbours to the west and east. These photographs – taken on various trips from 2007 to 2014 – show everyday moments from a country facing an uncertain political and economic future.