The approval rating of Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has significantly dropped and continues to decline in recent months. Reports TSN. This information has been provided by Kontrakty.UA.
This is also noted by The Times.
Journalists report that Valerii Zaluzhnyi, whom Zelensky dismissed in February following rumors of disagreements regarding the conduct of the war, is now seen as the most trusted figure in Ukraine according to a recent survey. Although he has not openly declared any political ambitions, many analysts interpret his appointment to a diplomatic role in London as an attempt by Zelensky to push him into the background.
"It is very difficult to be a popular president when you have been in a full-scale war for three years. People are tired, and almost everyone has lost someone. This is a huge challenge for Zelensky," said parliament member Oleksandra Ustynova.
According to the publication, there is a risk that Zelensky's popularity may decline even further if he continues to follow Washington's suggestion that Ukraine should start sending young people to the front lines.
How trust in the president has changed among Ukrainians
In September-October 2024, 59% of Ukrainians trust President Volodymyr Zelensky, while 37% do not trust him. Since May, these figures have remained virtually unchanged, according to a KMIS survey.
Sociologists note that after the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019, 80% of Ukrainians trusted Zelensky. However, by February 2022, the level of trust had gradually decreased to 37% (and just before the Russian invasion, there were already more people who did not trust him).
After the start of the full-scale invasion, the level of trust rose to 90%. By the end of December 2023, it had fallen to 77%, by February 2024 to 64%, and by May 2024 to 59%. Meanwhile, between May and September 2024, the figures changed little.
It is worth noting that the British newspaper Financial Times recognized President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky as the person of the year. Journalists described him as the embodiment of courage and resilience of Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression.
Financial Times emphasizes that before the Russian Armed Forces invaded Ukraine on February 24, many Ukrainians did not take Zelensky seriously.
In Ukraine, according to the publication, there are debates about whether "Zelensky can be the right person for the next world."
"Victory will not belong solely to the president. Some Ukrainians are making a name for themselves in the war and have political ambitions. It can be expected that the remarkable mobilization of Ukrainian civil society since February will make the country more demanding of its leaders," the newspaper noted.