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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
On Sunday, 9 August 2026 of the year, Ukraine's second president Leonid Kuchma turned 88 years old. He led the country for two presidential terms—from 1994 to 2004.
Kuchma was born on 9 August 1938 of the year in the village of Chaikine in Chernihiv region. By education he is an engineer-mechanic. A significant part of Kuchma’s professional career was connected with the rocket and space sector and the Pivdenmash plant in Dnipro, where he later became general director.
Before his presidency, he also headed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In 1994 year Kuchma won the presidential elections, defeating Leonid Kravchuk in the second round.
Kuchma’s presidency
One of the key events of his presidency was the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine on 28 June 1996 year. The fundamental law defined the principles of state order, the system of state authorities, and the basic rights and freedoms of citizens.
During Kuchma’s presidency Ukraine also experienced large-scale economic and political changes associated with the transition from the Soviet system to a market economy.
In foreign policy, the Kuchma period is often characterized as a time of so-called “multivectorism”—Ukraine sought to develop relations with both the West and Russia.
In 1996 year Ukraine introduced its national currency—the hryvnia. The monetary reform took place in September of that year.
Second term and political scandals
Kuchma’s second presidential term coincided with periods of significant political confrontation. One of the most high-profile cases was the case of journalist Georgiy Gongadze, who disappeared in September 2000 year.
After the publication of the so-called “Melnichenko tapes,” mass protests began in Ukraine, known as “Ukraine without Kuchma.” The Gongadze case and accusations against government officials became one of the most resonant episodes of Kuchma’s presidency.
At the same time, it was at the end of his second term that Ukraine experienced the Orange Revolution 2004 year. After the presidential elections and massive protests, the results of the second round were annulled, and the re-vote ended with Viktor Yushchenko’s victory.
After the presidency
After completing his presidential tenure, Kuchma remained involved in political and international processes.
In 2014 year he was authorized to represent Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group on settling the situation in Donbas. In 2019 year President Volodymyr Zelensky re-authorized Kuchma to represent Ukraine in the TCG, and later Kuchma led the Ukrainian delegation.
According to official information from the Office of the President, in 2019 year Kuchma represented Ukraine in the TCG and took part in negotiations for peaceful settlement of the Donbas situation.
Leonid Kuchma remains one of the longest-serving presidents in large-scale Ukrainian politics. His decade-long rule covered the period of state-building, adoption of the Constitution, economic transformations, complex relations with Russia and the West, and major internal political crises.
Today, 9 August, Leonid Kuchma turned 88 years old.
Earlier reports: The bloom of oligarchy and concessions to Moscow: how Kuchma’s tenure laid the groundwork for Russia’s invasion
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