CHANGE OF THE ATTITUDE OF THE UKRAINIAN ELITE TOWARDS UKRAINE
Firstly, who do I refer to as the elite? In my understanding, it's not the oligarchs or politicians, but the middle class. The layer that directly influences the country's future, its image, and direction. The genuine (not declared) attitude of the elite towards the country, their perception of its place and role on the global stage, and the self-identification of elite members – these are the main indicators of whether the country has a future at all.
It's quite simple. If the elite believes in the country, theydon't strive to take money out of it, send their children abroad, and thenfollow them. Money is the lifeblood of a country's economy, and children areits future. Together, they form the foundation. Can anything be built without afoundation?
War has changed a lot in our lives and consciousness. Onecrucial change is rarely discussed, as not everyone has the courage to admitit. What's changed? How things used to be. And here's how it used to be.
People who emerged from poverty, built businesses, and amassedsome capital sought to send their children abroad, minimize taxes, openaccounts in foreign banks, and, having put business processes on track, toleave far away. What has changed? In the three months of this chaotic andpurposeless war that our neighbors initiated against us, a revolution occurredin the mindset of the middle class.
I discuss this topic extensively with friends and fellowentrepreneurs. Last month, I conducted about thirty interviews with people wholeft Ukraine, taking their children away from the war. Mostly representativesof the middle class, our elite.
Each conversation confirms: people now view their countrydifferently, wanting to live in it and have their children live in it. Everyperson I talked to who left plans to return as soon as Ukraine becomes safe.Acquainted entrepreneurs who remain in Ukraine no longer see their goal assending their children to live abroad. I fully share this sentiment, as Imyself am undergoing a significant internal transformation.
The change primarily relates to our self-identification. How didwe perceive ourselves before? Especially the residents of the northern andeastern parts of the country who experienced some conscious years during theSoviet era. We lacked a clear national identity. To some extent, we were tornbetween Europe and Russia. Trying to sit on two chairs, catering to two centersof influence – economic and mental. While dealing with Russian partners,dreaming that our children would live in the USA. This was in many minds untilthe Revolution of Dignity and the start of the war in Donbas. For some, theinternal shift only occurred during the night of February 24. After Russia'sactions, it is no longer a partner, a reference point, or a center of influencefor us. Respect has turned into contempt and aversion. The final break, notonly in diplomatic and economic but also in mental ties, aidedself-identification. Away from Russia, closer to the West with its values,rules, and way of life.
We have developed deep respect for our country and pride in it.We see how Ukraine's image has changed on the international stage. We areunderstood, respected, and accepted into the circle of countries that oncegained independence and therefore understand its value. Now we are trulyfighting for our freedom. Not with documents and signatures, but with blood.While our partners undoubtedly support us, it is us who are fighting, defendingthe entire civilized world and covering Europe. The pain from a treacherousattack on your home and an attempt to take away everything dear to youheightens emotions. You realize how strongly you are truly attached to yourcountry.
A strong, heroic country that you want to help, to give to, tobuild upon. But certainly not take from it. The desire to minimize taxes hasturned into a willingness to pay promptly and even in advance.
Trust in authority. Right now, it's probably the highest it'sbeen in all the years of independence. There's also the belief that theincreased trust won't turn into subsequent disillusionment, as it used to afterrevolutions. The war should teach those in power responsibility and renew theterms of the social contract, which, let's be honest, has been very weak andone-sided.
We looked at our country with completely different eyes.Speaking for myself: I've visited over 80 countries, but now I can confidentlysay that Ukraine is the most comfortable place for both living and business(with very liberal conditions for entrepreneurship). Wonderful climate,beautiful people, convenient logistics, high-quality infrastructure that someEuropean countries might envy.
"The grass is always greener on the other side" – thatmindset lingered in my head for a long time, fueling the desire to leave homein search of a more beautiful and comfortable life – for myself or for my children.When my eldest daughter turned 15, the decision that she would study and livein the West matured and wasn't discussed. She graduated from an academy in theUSA and lives in Los Angeles. The younger one is also 15 now. Since earlychildhood, I've been preparing her for the same scenario. The question wasn'twhether to leave or not, but at what age – 15 or 17? The war settled that – mydaughter left for Europe.
I'm glad she's safe, but recently I caught myself thinking: Iwould like her to return home after our victory, study and work here, build herfamily here. For the first time in many years, I realized that perhaps she willhave more opportunities for self-realization in Ukraine, because Europe issaturated. In the new Ukraine, there will be room for everyone, especiallytalented children who have seen the world and imbibed Western values.
"Still, we're outsiders there, our children will always bechildren of immigrants," said one of my interviewees who left Germany dueto the war and dreams of returning with her child as soon as Ukraine is safeagain.
We're paying too high a price for our sovereignty and ourfuture. Such "investments" cannot go unrewarded.
