Recent Polls Indicate Rising Support for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Despite perceptions in the U.S. and Russia that Volodymyr Zelenskyy lacks legitimacy and popularity, recent opinion polls in Ukraine reveal a notable increase in his approval ratings. According to a recent survey by the independent Ukrainian research organization, Rating Group, approximately 65% of Ukrainians currently express trust in their president.

This survey, which involved 1,200 participants, indicates a shift in public sentiment towards Zelenskyy for the first time since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In November 2024, his approval rating stood at around 53%, which has since climbed to 57% as of early 2025.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted a parallel survey among 1,000 respondents, yielding slightly lower figures, with 57% of Ukrainians indicating they trust Zelenskyy. KIIS's executive director has refuted claims of bias, noting that the survey was conducted independently despite criticisms from some quarters, including prominent figures like Elon Musk.

The director also pointed out the distinction between support for Zelenskyy's decisions and outright trust in him, highlighting that while trust may be growing, it could be a temporary trend influenced by external factors. Events where Zelenskyy engages with international leaders tend to boost his approval ratings, but domestic issues such as corruption may diminish that support.

Conducting surveys in Ukraine's occupied territories poses significant challenges, as many regions are inaccessible for in-person polling. KIIS's approach includes phone surveys where mobile networks are available, but this excludes areas without coverage. Furthermore, opinions from Ukrainian refugees living abroad are also underrepresented in these polls, reflecting a growing disinterest in Ukrainian politics among this demographic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has weighed in on Zelenskyy's popularity, suggesting that regardless of fluctuating support figures, Zelenskyy is significantly less favored compared to potential political rival, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. However, analysts caution against drawing conclusions from such comparisons, as Zaluzhnyi has not declared any political ambitions.

Zelenskyy's term was originally set to conclude in May 2024, but ongoing martial law prohibits new elections. Nevertheless, various research organizations continue to conduct polls on public sentiment regarding potential candidates for future elections.

Recent polling by the Center for Social and Market Research (SOCIS) indicated that if elections were to occur soon, Zelenskyy would receive 15.9% of potential votes, whereas Zaluzhnyi garnered support from 27.2% of respondents. With a significant portion of voters remaining undecided, the political landscape in Ukraine remains dynamic and uncertain as the country continues to navigate the complexities of war.