In a decisive rebuff of recent allegations made by former United States President Donald Trump, the approval rating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy jumped to 57%, finds a poll commissioned by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). Published in early February, the same is sharply contrasting Trump’s declaration that Zelenskyy is reeling with only a 4% approval rating.
Political Motives and Disinformation
Trump’s statement, issued at Mar-a-Lago after a U.S. delegation meeting with Russia, implied that Ukraine needs to conduct elections because of Zelenskyy’s reported low popularity. “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine… the leader in Ukraine, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4% approval,” Trump stated.
But Zelenskyy quickly dismissed the claim, blaming it on Russian-led disinformation campaigns. “The 4% support claim is a result of Russian propaganda. We have proof that these numbers are being shared between the U.S. and Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
Why Elections in Ukraine Are Delayed
Ukraine was initially supposed to conduct presidential elections in March or April 2024, the expiration of Zelenskyy’s first five-year term. But the Ukrainian constitution categorically forbids the holding of elections during martial law, which has been ongoing since February 24, 2022, when Russia began its all-out invasion.
This provision of law has been intentionally misrepresented by Moscow, which has consistently promoted the idea that Zelenskyy is governing illegitimately. In spite of these assertions, Ukrainians strongly support delaying elections until after the war, with national security taking precedence over political procedures.
Anton Hrushetskyi, KIIS Deputy Director, supported this position, saying:
“The legitimacy of the leadership in Ukraine is not challenged. The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians expect that elections may only be conducted once the war has ended and Ukraine has entered into firm security guarantees.”
Zelenskyy vs. Trump: The Numbers Speak
The 57% approval rating mirrors increasing trust in Zelenskyy, up from 52% in December 2024. Trump’s own approval rating within the U.S., meanwhile, stands at 53% in a CBS News/YouGov poll, lower than Zelenskyy’s.
The Ukrainian president’s capacity to retain high public confidence in the face of persistent military setbacks is a testament to his leadership and resilience. In contrast, Trump’s flippant disregard for facts casts doubt on the validity of his foreign policy judgments.
The Reality of War and Leadership
As Zelenskyy highlighted at the Munich Security Conference, elections are not a priority for Ukrainians at this moment. “Our people are focused on survival. If elections were held now, martial law would have to be lifted, soldiers would return home, and Putin would exploit the situation to seize more territory,” he warned.
During war, leadership is gauged not by opinion poll numbers, but by the capacity to unite and defend a nation under threat of existence. Whereas Trump might seek to redefine reality through false declarations, the Ukrainian people have voted—Zelenskyy is still their rightful and trusted leader.
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