- Mini Bio
- Name: Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko
- Born: 23rd February 1954, Khoruzhivka, Sumy Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
- Alma mater: Ternopil National Economic University and Academy of Banking
- Occupation: Banker, politician and president
- Prime ministership: He was the seventh Prime Minister of Ukraine from 22nd December 1999 until 29th May 2001
- Presidency: He was the third president of Ukraine from 23rd January 2005 until 25th February 2010
- Skulduggery: During the 2004 presidential campaign Yushchenko was poisoned with what was later identified as Dioxin. This resulted in his face becoming bloated with severe pockmarks showing all the hallmarks of chloracne. Test results showed the levels of dioxin in his system were 6,000 times higher than normal
- Revolution: Allegations of electoral fraud in the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election led to a wave of street protests that was to become known as the Orange Revolution as it paved the way to force a third and decisive vote that saw Yushchenko ascend to grasp the reins of presidential power from rival Yanukovych
- Trivia: Before he entered the political arena he had an important role in creating the Ukrainian national currency The Hryvnia
"It's time to bury the war hatchet and to forget where it lies"
Viktor Yushchenko"The fact is that the so-called coalition was formed on basis of political corruption, this coalition will be able to work only if the Communist Party will join it. Speaking about such a type of coalition, it is even more shameful"
Viktor Yushchenko"Ukraine is facing a serious threat of isolation as some local political forces want to put an end to democracy and democratic reforms in the country"
Viktor Yushchenko"I would like to express my gratitude to all countries that have recognized Holodomor politically and legally as a genocide against the Ukrainian nation"
Viktor Yushchenko"Putin dreams of reconstructing the Soviet empire under the name of Russia. He is so obsessed with this that he hasn't understood power balance"
Viktor Yushchenko"Ukraine is facing a serious threat of isolation as some local political forces want to end democracy and democratic reforms in the country"
Viktor Yushchenko"Two laboratories provided samples but not the Russian side. This, of course, limits the possibilities of the investigation process"
Viktor Yushchenko"Ukraine was proving a bad example for Russia, and a good example for Europe, and that was the problem"
Viktor Yushchenko"For Ukraine, money doesn't smell, no matter where it came from geographically"
Viktor Yushchenko"Our minds and our hands will be our keep"
Viktor Yushchenko"Our mothers and fathers want change. They worked all of their lives, but today live in destitution"
Viktor Yushchenko"Ukraine must once again be revered and respected by its citizens as well as the East and the West"
Viktor Yushchenko"The conviction of our Ukrainian nation is embedded in the pages of its history"
Viktor Yushchenko"We cannot be divided either by the languages we speak, by the faiths we profess or by the political views we choose"
Viktor Yushchenko"Globalization does not mean one culture and language, but rather a beautiful mosaic of many languages and cultures communicating and cooperating through effective instruments"
Viktor Yushchenko"I am deeply convinced that the democratic coalition was ruined by one thing alone; Human ambition"
Viktor Yushchenko"Oil and gas are not only hydrocarbons, unfortunately, they're also the stuff of politics"
Viktor Yushchenko"What does Putin fear the most? Solidarity, international solidarity"
Viktor Yushchenko"National interests were traded for political considerations"
Viktor Yushchenko"National interests were traded for political considerations"
Viktor Yushchenko"Russia had to have a pliant pro-Russian leader"
Viktor Yushchenko"Crimea isn't Russian; rather it is Ukrainian"
Viktor YushchenkoGreat quotes are not where you find great wisdom. It's where you share this knowledge that counts
Sharing Is Caring
Viktor Yushchenko Biography
Viktor Yushchenko was the central banker whose realm of influence spread from the creation of the Ukrainian currency into the sphere of politics that saw him ascend to the head of state as its third president.
It was not all plain sailing for the boy from the Sumy Oblast region of northeastern Ukraine as he soon found out in the run up to the 2004 presidential campaign after he was poisoned by a derivative substance of agent Orange called dioxin.
Although he survived the poisoning his disfigured and pockmarked face made headlines around the world with a lot of suspicion being pointed to his pro-Russian political foes and the Vladimir Putin regime itself. Nothing substantial was ever proven but political gossip mongers filled their columns with espionage comparisons that even Joseph Stalin would have been proud of.
The election itself was too close to call and voting fraud was rampant which was the catalyst for the Orange Revolution of peaceful protest until a new election was announced and Yushchenko swept into power.
Yushchenko's presidency was beset with economic and energy issues that were compounded by his slim majority and eventually led to his downfall at the 2010 election.
Viktor's legacy is overshadowed by the western press casting him as the poster boy for Russian poisoning although he is better remembered for fearlessly leading the opposition parties during the Orange Revolution. Like most politicians he was also good for a one liner so here is my compilation of 22 of the best Viktor Yushchenko quotes
Quotes About Viktor Yushchenko
President Geoge W. Bush welcomed him as he said: "You are a friend to our country, and you are an inspiration to all who love liberty"
The student activist Nazar Pervak who supported the Orange Revolution looked back and said: "I feel very disillusioned, because we didn't use the great chance we had properly. Integration with Europe did not come true either. Now Western Europe simply accepts that Ukraine is now under Russia's influence"
Larisa Knyazev during an an interview with the Telegraph Newspaper said: "Both Stalin and Lenin were negative figures, but at least they managed to keep order"
In early 2005 Vladimir Putin issued this statement with hope of an upturn in relations wih Yushchenko and the Ukraine: "I highly value the results of the recent meeting in Moscow, and the constructive nature of relations that have been established between us. I expect that a continuation of direct dialogue between us will serve to develop equal and mutually beneficial Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in all spheres"