Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko expressed frustration over the prolonged delay by the U.S. Congress in approving military aid for Ukraine, stating that it allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to escalate the conflict and inflict more suffering. Yushchenko highlighted the severe lack of ammunition faced by Ukrainian forces, leading to the surrender of villages on the front lines and raising concerns among Ukraine's Western allies about the country's ability to repel the Russian invasion.
Yushchenko emphasized that the delay impacted Ukraine's war planning and forced adjustments to the current year's campaign. Despite the challenges, he supported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's handling of the war and rejected the idea of territorial concessions for peace, warning that it would only embolden Putin to launch further attacks in the future.
Yushchenko urged Western allies to expedite political decisions to support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian forces. Following the approval of U.S. military aid last month, President Joe Biden swiftly authorized the delivery of weaponry to Ukraine, but Ukrainian military commanders noted that it would take time for the supplies to meet Kyiv's needs on the front lines.
The Biden administration has committed to accelerating the pace of weapons shipments to Ukraine, with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasizing the heightened intensity of the efforts. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's unannounced visit to Kyiv aimed to reassure Ukraine of American support amid the conflict.
Yushchenko acknowledged the significant losses suffered by Ukraine during the war but emphasized the importance of continued resilience and perseverance. He praised Western support for enabling Ukraine to reclaim occupied territory and stressed the need for unity among allies to counter Putin's geopolitical ambitions.
Yushchenko, a key figure in Ukraine's Orange Revolution, has been a vocal advocate for democracy and freedom in the face of Russian aggression. He remains optimistic about Ukraine's eventual victory, viewing the conflict as a crucial battle to defend democratic values against tyranny and imperialism.
Despite his criticism of the U.S. aid delay, Yushchenko recognized the progress made by Ukraine with Western assistance and called for sustained international solidarity to achieve further gains in the conflict.
