Interviews with Viktor Yushchenko

I think that first and foremost, it is very important that a nation itself should answer these questions. It is a struggle. You know, freedom – it is not presented on a platter; independence is not presented on a platter. They are acquired in the struggle. In order to win in the fight, it is necessary to clearly understand the motives, to believe in them, to believe in the idea, to believe in and know your goal.

In other words, it is necessary to be sure about what you are doing. And, because we turn the discussion to democracy – and I am sorry that we do not have enough time – I would bring my arguments in regard to democracy and say the following: Slavery is never interesting; slavery is never productive. Finally, and, perhaps, this is the most important point: A slave never feels happiness. Only a free person can be happy.

Incidentally, the word democracy has a number of meanings, and all of them, as a rule, are very strong meanings. However, the meaning which I like the best is the one I want to recite, at least roughly: ‘Democracy – it is not something that can be given to you. Democracy – it is something you cannot give away.’ It is very important to understand about those challenges that democracy does not begin with president, that democracy does not begin with a head of state.

Democracy begins with you. With millions of us, with you feeling you are part of this grand goal. And not feeling that you should stand by and wait and wonder what will you receive. Democracy cannot be brought by servants, as freedom cannot be brought by tanks. You need to choose – whether in Cuba, or Belarus, or North Korea – those questions can be answered only by you. Whether you want live like this, can live like this – this is your choice. If you do not want to – you can move mountains, if you do not want live like this. You are the power.

Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko is a Ukrainian economist and politician. He served as President of Ukraine from 2005 to 2010. Yushchenko was born in 1954 in Khoruzhivka, Ukraine. Both his parents were teachers.

Educated as an economist, Yushchenko worked in banking and finance for much of his career. After Ukrainian independence was restored in 1991, he became chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine from 1993 to 1999. President Leonid Kuchma appointed Yushchenko prime minister. Yushchenko served in that post from 1999 to 2001. Freedom House and other watchdog groups noted a marked deterioration in civil liberties and human rights under President Kuchma, including restrictions on the media, government efforts to undermine the political opposition, political violence and even murder.

Yushchenko became active in electoral politics, winning a seat in Ukraine’s parliament in 2002. That same year, he became leader of the Our Ukraine political coalition, the leading bloc of the democratic opposition to Kuchma.

In 2004, Yushchenko launched his campaign for president, quickly becoming the leading opposition candidate. Yushchenko faced formidable odds, with little access to the media. In September 2004, Yushchenko became seriously ill with what was later diagnosed as dioxin poisoning. Though gravely wounded, Yushchenko continued his political campaign. In the October 31, 2004 first round of elections, he narrowly edged Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Since neither Yanukovych nor Yushchenko won 50 percent of the vote, they met in a runoff election on November 21. Irregularities and fraud were widespread and the government proclaimed Yanukovych the winner. Public outrage led to the nonviolent demonstrations and protests of the Orange Revolution. After several weeks of protests, the government acceded to demands for a new round of elections. On December 26, 2004, Viktor Yushchenko defeated Viktor Yanukovych to become president of Ukraine.

As president, Yushchenko sought to improve Ukraine’s economy and democratic institutions. He worked to strengthen ties with the European Union and NATO. Throughout his presidency, Yushchenko was challenged by political infighting and fractious coalition governments. He unsuccessfully sought reelection in 2010, but lost to his 2004 rival, Viktor Yanukovych.

Since completing his term, Viktor Yushchenko has remained active in public affairs and politics. He currently serves as the founder and head of the Viktor Yushchenko Institute in Kyiv.

http://yushchenkoinstitute.org/en/