Editor’s Note: As Ukraine’s 26th Independence Day approaches on Aug. 24, the Kyiv Post is asking Ukrainians who live abroad to send in their picture with answers to the following questions for publication. Send to Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner at [email protected]. The published replies can be found here: Ukrainian Voices From Abroad.
Kyiv Post: Where are you from in Ukraine?
Evgeniy (Jay) Tkachuk: Born and raised in the beautiful Odesa, lived there till I was 19.
KP: When did you leave; why did you leave?
ET: I moved the States in June 1995, mostly because I could not see a meaningful way forward for myself, and the country, due to the all-permeating corruption, lawlessness …. I knew I could be successful, but it would require me to accept a level of moral flexibility I was not, and still am not, comfortable with.
KP: How did you end up where you live?
ET: We originally moved to Dallas, Texas. After a couple of years I moved to Austin to study at the University of Texas, and stayed there for a decade. I’ve earned two degrees there, a bachelor’s of psychology and master’s in business administration. It’s a wonderful city; I’ve met my wife and started my family and my career in digital management there. Ultimately, my career led me to San Antonio, which has been my home for the last 10 years.
KP: Do you ever regret that you are not in Ukraine – why or why not?
ET: No. Living in the U.S. has given me a far more expansive, truly global and long-term perspective, as well as opportunities and experience that at the time of my leaving were practically impossible to acquire in Ukraine. And although much has changed, they remain quite rare and difficult to obtain. My only regret is that I can’t help more in my motherland’s struggle against the dark rotting empire next door, although I try to do what I can (helping with money here and there, sending various electronics to the front lines, etc.).
KP: What do you miss most about Ukraine?
ET: People I grew up with, my extended family and friends, familiar streets, sounds, food.
KP: What do you miss least about Ukraine?
ET: That underlying, always present anxiety that permeates the everyday life there, due to the pervasive corruption, often crazy politics and outright graft in the upper echelons of power, all of which amounts to a relative lack of the rule of law and thus produces an inherent instability in practically every aspect of people’s daily lives.
KP: Does where you live have more opportunities for you than in Ukraine?
ET: Unquestionably. Texas is close to Ukraine in size, population, level of economic inequality and the insanity of its politics (especially lately), yet it offers a bustling economy and a robust rule of law. It’s no paradise – there is much poverty here, which I’ve tasted personally, and a host of real problems, but if you are smart and have the will to succeed, it’s a great place to live. My family and I have done well here.
KP: What relatives/friends are left back in Ukraine?
ET: I still have my grandmother and my uncle’s family, as well as school friends in Odesa.
KP: Do they visit you or do you visit them? Often?
ET: I’ve been in Odesa three times thus far, and my uncle and one of my cousins visited us in San Antonio. Odesa is basically halfway across the world, so the distance and travel costs are significant.
KP: With Ukraine coming up to its 26th anniversary of national independence, how do you feel about your homeland? Is it making progress as a nation? Or not so much?
ET: The progress is palpable – it is a much better country than the one I left. But moving forward has been slow, too slow – it seems that for every step forward there are three steps sideways. The people have made their choice in evolution vs. revolution, and would have tolerated a few years of turbulence (which happened anyway) in order to arrive at a much better state, with a better, Western-style constitution, transparent judiciary, tax code, etc. Ukraine is a phenomenally wealthy country, with great people and an outdated but still capable industrial, scientific and even space technologies foundation, and yet most of that potential is either mismanaged, outright wasted or simply siphoned off.
KP: What would it take for you to return?
ET: I would consider coming back only if presented with an opportunity to impact real change on a large scale. I hear there are presidential elections coming up … 😉
KP: What do you wish for your country?
ET: Emergence of capable leaders with incorruptible ethics and just as capable and ethical teams. We need our own, Ukrainian Founding Fathers and Mothers, or at least our own George Washington. That would lay a foundation for the victory in our war of independence, and to establish the rule of law. All the rest will follow.
KP: Do you think that wish will come true?
ET: Yes, after all other avenues have been exhausted.
