Being a Canadian who has called Ukraine his home for more than 22 years, I have been bombarded (excuse the pun) with the question of when I plan to leave Ukraine due to the current Russian invasion threat.
While I won’t lie that the thought has crossed my mind due to having a family and having the opportunity to “escape” to a safe haven, it was decided with my wife that we would rather create a contingency plan in case the situation got out of control, but for now would remain here in Kyiv and it would be business as usual.
Leaving is easy, but remaining is the only choice
Being the CEO of Kyiv Post comes with a high responsibility of keeping the business moving forward so that our team of talented and dedicated journalists led by our Chief Editor Bohdan Nahaylo can focus on keeping the world informed as to what is truly happening in Ukraine.
As the Washington Post slogan states so well, “Democracy dies in darkness” could not be more fitting in these crucial times. We need to fight for our democracy and that starts with the right information being made available in order to better assess the situation and how to use it to move forward.
The Kyiv Post’s slogan, ”Ukraine’s Global Voice,” entails a moral duty and obligation to keep reporting and informing to the world as to what is truly happening on the ground to counter the Russia Today (RT) propaganda machine and sadly as well against most social media platforms that mimic news in the form of gossip.
Being part of the business community and a board member’s of EBA (European Business Association) it was reported that the majority of business leaders decided to stay and lead not only their companies, but more so move the economy and image of Ukraine forward.
I decided to ask a few key business leaders about their decision to stay.
Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMittal, Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
A captain never leaves his ship!
Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMittal, Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
“My ship is a massive mining and steelmaking operation employing more than 20,000 people. We are one of the load-bearing pillars of the Ukrainian economy, one of the largest exporters, taxpayers and employers. Our team cannot easily relocate and our equipment is not the kind you can just shut off until better times.
The Italian embassy has called and offered me to leave. Several of my colleagues heeded those calls and went to their home countries. The senior leadership team, however, is here, fully committed to keep our operations going, our people protected, and our customers reassured. We made contingency plans for a variety of scenarios, including the most drastic ones. When you’re ready for the worst, it’s easier to hope for the best. Our people are no strangers to threats and hardships. We can weather this challenge as well. My enormous steel ship keeps forging ahead, and so do I.”
Adnan Kivan, CEO of Kadorr Group, Odesa, Ukraine
The idea of leaving Ukraine has never crossed my mind!
Adnan Kivan, CEO of Kadorr Group, Odesa, Ukraine
“I have called Ukraine my home for more that 41 years. Ukraine has given me so many opportunities and in return, I believe that my company has managed to deliver a better quality of life for my employees, the community, and our collective futures together. As the famous saying goes,
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”
I remain committed to not only staying in these challenging times that we are all facing, but more importantly staying to grow our future together by being focused on truth, democracy, and most importantly fighting against outside forces who wish to harm this great country that we all call home.”
Olivier Gierlichs, SBR & CFO Bayer Ukraine
My place is in Ukraine and I intend to stay.
Olivier Gierlichs, SBR & CFO Bayer Ukraine (SERGEY PIRIYEV)
“You need to be on the ground in order to evaluate the situation and take the necessary decisions for the safety of the employees and to ensure business continuity.
Bayer has been working in Ukraine since 1992 and today we employ about 700 employees in three main sites – central office, seed plant, and breeding station. No changes have been introduced into our operations so far, though we are carefully monitoring the situation. The safety of our employees is a priority, and we are making all appropriate actions to ensure it as well as the continuity of our business in Ukraine.”
The future is for us to protect
All too often, it takes the threat of losing something in order to realize the need to stand up and fight to protect it.
Since Ukraine’s independence, two revolutions, and now this real and challenging crisis, I realize that the business community, its employees, and most importantly the overall population, have the will and clear vision to move all of us forward. They have the determination to collectively stay and stand our ground as one and to show the world that Ukraine deserves to set its own democratic course free from interference from outside forces who wish to reverse 30 years of sacrifices and progress.
I remained in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian defenders of freedom and European democracy in 2013-2014 during the Maidan and Revolution of Dignity (today we commemorate those heroes who gave their lives for this cause exactly 8 years ago), and am remaining now.
Staying together moves us all forward! In unity transcending diversity is our strength!
Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava!
Luc Chénier, today’s CEO of Kyiv Post, at the “Maidan” Revolution of Dignity 8 years ago. Photo by Gazeta.ua
