August M
Public confidence in Ukraine’s president remains relatively strong despite a slight decline, according to newly released survey data. The findings offer a snapshot of how Ukrainians view their leader during an ongoing war.
They also reveal a divided outlook on his political future once the conflict ends.
Public opinion trends
According to Digi24.ro, citing a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 58% of Ukrainians say they trust President Volodymyr Zelensky.
At the same time, 36% expressed distrust, resulting in a net positive rating of +22 points.
This marks a drop from March, when trust stood at 62% and distrust at 32%, giving a stronger balance of +30.
Among supporters, 25% report “complete confidence” in Zelensky, while 33% say they “somewhat” trust him.
Divided future views
The survey also examined expectations for Zelensky’s role after the war.
Around 28% of respondents said they would like him to remain president, a slight rise from 25% recorded in October 2025.
Another 16% believe he could stay active in politics in a different capacity, such as a party leader or member of parliament.
Meanwhile, 30% think he should leave politics altogether, a decrease from 36% last year, while 15% support prosecuting him, a figure unchanged over time.
Support and opposition
Views on Zelensky’s future vary sharply depending on current levels of trust.
Among those expressing “complete confidence,” 70% want him to remain president.
Support drops to 28% among those who only “somewhat” trust him.
By contrast, 62% of respondents who “rather distrust” him favour his exit from politics, while 64% of those who “do not trust him at all” support prosecution.
Reasons for distrust
KIIS researchers also explored why some Ukrainians remain critical of the president.
About 40% of sceptical respondents said their concerns date back to earlier periods, including 2022 or even the 2019 election campaign.
Among specific issues, 32% cited the failure to end the war, 28% pointed to unfulfilled promises, and 20% mentioned corruption.
Other concerns included dissatisfaction with staffing decisions (18%), perceived incompetence (12%), problems with mobilisation systems (10%), and declining living standards (10%).
Survey scope
The poll was conducted between April 20 and 27 using telephone interviews with 1,005 respondents in government-controlled areas of Ukraine.
It included internally displaced people but excluded residents of occupied territories and those who left the country after February 24, 2022.
Sources: Digi24.ro, KIIS
