Asger Risom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has seen a notable dip in public trust, with support falling 11 points to 65%, according to a new national poll.
Public support for leaders during wartime can be volatile—rising with symbolic victories and falling amid extended uncertainty.
In Ukraine, this dynamic is now reflected in the latest opinion data concerning President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Support Drops from May Highs
According to a new survey from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 65% of Ukrainians currently trust Zelensky, down from 76% in May.
The findings, published by the Kyiv Independent, show a trust balance of +35% — the lowest since March 2025.
Despite this decline, Zelensky’s approval remains above the year’s February low of 57%, suggesting continued, if waning, confidence in his leadership.
Unclear Causes, But Clear Trends
Sociologists could not point to a single reason for the drop, but note several possible contributors.
These include growing public desire for a ceasefire, disillusionment over stalled negotiations, and a fading bump in support that followed Zelensky’s U.S. minerals agreement in May.
The poll also reveals a significant regional divide: 73% of respondents in western Ukraine express trust in Zelensky, compared to 61% in the war-battered south and east.
Views on Concessions Sharply Split
The survey also found that opinions on territorial compromise are closely tied to views on Zelensky.
Among those who trust him, 55% strongly oppose ceding any land. Among his critics, nearly half are open to making concessions.
Conducted from May 15 to June 3, the poll sampled 1,011 adult Ukrainians in non-occupied territories via telephone interviews. The results underline the balancing act facing Ukraine’s leadership as the war grinds on—and the patience of its citizens begins to wear thin.