Viktor Yushchenko

Viktor Yushchenko first emerged as a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics as the Governor of Ukraine’s National Bank, where he undertook a series of economic reforms and introduced the country’s national currency. From 1999 to 2001, Yushchenko served as Ukraine’s prime minister under President Leonid Kuchma. Following his abrupt dismissal as prime minister, Yushchenko formed an opposition coalition called Our Ukraine, which won the largest bloc of seats in the 2002 parliamentary elections and propelled Yushchenko to run for president in 2004. The election was marked by widespread allegations of fraud and corruption, which led to the Orange Revolution, a pro-democratic movement that culminated in Yushchenko assuming office after being declared the rightful winner. As the President of Ukraine from 2005 to 2010, Yushchenko aimed to steer the country toward European integration and implement economic reforms.