It's Yushchenko's birthday—let's reflect on the key moments of his presidency.

In this brief overview, Novini.LIVE recalls the highs and lows of this remarkable politician.

Brief Biography

Viktor Yushchenko was born on February 23, 1954, in the village of Khoruzhivka in Sumy Oblast. He holds a degree in finance and began his career as an assistant chief accountant at the "40th Anniversary of October" collective farm in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.

From 1985, he worked in the credit and agricultural financing department of the State Bank of the USSR. In 1987, at the invitation of Vadym Hetman, he moved to the Kyiv branch of the Agricultural Bank of the USSR.

Yushchenko later became the chairman of the National Bank. It was during his tenure that the Cabinet and the National Bank successfully prevented a financial crisis in 1998 that affected neighboring Russia.

Orange Revolution: First Steps to Power

Yushchenko ascended to the presidency after mass protests on the Maidan, which arose due to electoral fraud during the 2004 presidential elections. His victory symbolized the struggle for democratic values, transparency, and a European choice for Ukraine. Additionally, during the "Ukraine without Kuchma" campaign, Yushchenko was poisoned with dioxin, likely at the behest of the Kremlin.

European Course and Foreign Policy

One of the main characteristics of his presidency was the drive for Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO. Yushchenko actively promoted the development of relations with Western countries, although this course was not supported by all political forces in Ukraine.

Crises and Disappointment

Despite initial hopes, his presidency faced economic and political challenges. In the early years, many reforms could not be implemented, and the division in society between the "orange" and "blue-white" forces led to political instability. The 2010 elections, in which Yushchenko failed to win, were a testament to the disappointment of some Ukrainians with the results of his presidency.

Viktor Yushchenko also dealt with severe economic challenges, such as high inflation, external debt, and energy dependence on Russia. These issues significantly affected the president's popularity, as reforms were largely ineffective in the context of the economic crisis.

Presidential Legacy

Despite the difficulties, Yushchenko's presidency left an important legacy in democratic processes. Under his leadership, Ukraine made significant strides towards decentralization, electoral system reform, and the expansion of civil rights.

His tenure as president was marked not only by great ambitions and attempts to change the country but also by disappointment among many citizens due to the failure to deliver promised reforms. His legacy is mixed, but his contribution to the development of modern Ukrainian democracy cannot be denied.

Previously, we reported on the salaries of Ukrainian presidents, including what Viktor Yushchenko earned. Additionally, Viktor Yushchenko appeared in a star-studded company with Mykhailo Poplavskyi.