Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's ex-President, criticized the U.S. Congress for significantly delaying military aid to Ukraine, describing the inaction as a grave and costly error that exacerbated the impacts of Russia's ongoing military aggression. Speaking to Reuters, Yushchenko, who led Ukraine from 2005 to 2010, highlighted how this hesitation allowed Russian forces to capture more Ukrainian territories and prolonged the suffering caused by the conflict, now in its second year.

During a discussion at a World Affairs Council event in Philadelphia, Yushchenko emphasized that the shortfall in military supplies led to Ukrainian forces being outmatched and compelled to retreat in several frontline engagements. He pointed out that this situation not only heightened concerns among Ukraine's Western allies about its ability to counter the Russian offensive but also encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to intensify his military strategies against Ukraine.

Yushchenko, known for his pro-European stance and efforts to reduce Kyiv's reliance on Moscow, warned that the delay in aid was not terminal but necessitated significant adjustments to Ukraine's military strategies for the ongoing year. He staunchly supported the wartime leadership of current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and firmly opposed any territorial concessions for achieving peace, arguing that it would merely embolden Putin in the future.

With Russia launching new offensives in regions like eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv, Yushchenko called on Western nations to expedite their political and military support. "Our soldiers are on the battlefield 24/7 without breaks," he remarked, stressing the urgency of the situation.

Following congressional approval last month, U.S. President Joe Biden expedited the deployment of a $61 billion military aid package to Ukraine, a move also backed by CIA Director Bill Burns who highlighted its critical nature for Ukraine's defense. However, the actual delivery of aid to the front lines has been slow, with Ukrainian commanders reporting that it might take a couple more months to fully meet their operational needs.

In an effort to hasten support, Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Adviser, emphasized that the administration is maximizing efforts to speed up the delivery of military resources to Ukraine. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv to reaffirm American support.

Despite past challenges with funding due to opposition from certain U.S. lawmakers, the aid package was eventually passed after significant advocacy by Biden and supportive members of Congress, overcoming the gridlock.

Reflecting on the over two years of conflict, Yushchenko acknowledged the severe human and infrastructural toll it has exacted on Ukraine, criticizing any notion of "war fatigue" as an unacceptable justification for diminishing support. He maintained that with unified support from allies, Ukraine could continue to reclaim occupied territories and ultimately secure victory, viewing the conflict as a broader fight for democracy against authoritarianism.

Yushchenko, who first rose to prominence following the 2004 Orange Revolution, has remained a symbol of resistance, having survived a severe dioxin poisoning incident during his presidential campaign, which he attributes to hostile forces opposed to his policies. Despite the challenges of his presidency, which were marked by economic difficulties and political strife, his commitment to aligning Ukraine with Western Europe has left a lasting impact on the nation's trajectory.