already two years in the war

The war in Ukraine entered its third year yesterday. On site, no one imagined that the conflict would drag on like this. However, outside the front in the east, life is organized in the capital, as demonstrated by this Frenchman, director of a bank in kyiv.

Two years later, if in certain regions life seems to have returned “normally” and the State is functioning, Ukraine remains under the threat of air strikes which can target residential buildings, classrooms or hospitals.

Arriving four years ago as director of Crédit Agricole in Ukraine, Carlos de Cordoba spends two thirds of his time in kyiv, the rest in Paris. Two years after the start of Russia’s invasion of the country, he testifies that life in the capital is returning to normal.

“We even had a lot of feedback from employees who were in Poland who returned to settle in kyiv, he assures. For example, during rush hours, traffic jams have returned, theaters and restaurants are open. They are often sold out. kyiv has regained its pre-war population.”

However, the city lives to the rhythm of air alert sirens, more than a thousand in total since the start of the war two years ago. The Frenchman also observes a rebound in economic activity in the country, in particular since the reopening of the Black Sea corridor.

“Now the boats can leave freely, he testifies, they are no longer even stopped in the Bosphorus, where there were Russian inspections. So, the flow of exports has picked up quite vigorously, and we are finding fairly high levels, not only for cereals, but also for example steel, which is an important source of exports. The activity is quite dynamic.”

Morale is good

If the bank closed its dozen branches located in territory occupied by Russia, all the others, more than a hundred in total, are remained open.

“We have not fully resumed the activity of lending to individuals, for risk reasons, admits Carlos De Cordoba, but we have resumed our vehicle acquisition financing activities. We are at approximately 70% of the pre-war level in terms of credit production. Customers today have the means to buy a car and part of the population has the means to live and consume.”

For the moment, it is impossible to say how many Ukrainians have died as a result of this war, but according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, it is estimated that between 3 and 4 million people have had to leave their home, destroyed by a drone or a rocket. Dand the confession even this week Of the president Voldymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian military forces are in a situation “extremely difficult” facing the Russian aggressor. The population of kyiv nevertheless maintains morale, assures Carlos De Cordoue:

“Ukrainians continue to think that we must fight. There is no defeatist idea, at this stage anyway. Morale remains strong. People remain with the idea that victory is possible. C “It’s quite surprising, but that’s really what people think in kyiv anyway.”

Diplomats and analysts, in Moscow or on the side of kyiv and its supporters, agree on at least one point: 2024 will be another year of war.

Go further

The Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFI)

Find this column on the app, the website and in the international mobility magazine “Français à l’avenir.fr”