Trump vs Zelensky: Ukrainian support hits new heights
In recent statements, Donald Trump questioned the Ukrainian people's support for Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, a new survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology shows that 63% of Ukrainians support their president's actions.
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) published the latest public opinion survey results, indicating that 63% of Ukrainians fully or partially support President Volodymyr Zelensky's actions. Specifically, 26.1% of respondents fully approve of his actions, while 36.9% somewhat support them.
Trump is wrong. Here's how Zelensky looks in the polls
Compared with the survey from May 2024, support for Zelensky has increased by 7%. At that time, 56% of respondents spoke positively about the president.
Seventy-four percent of Ukrainians consider Zelensky a patriot, and 73% see him as an intelligent and competent leader. Furthermore, 59% of respondents perceive him as honest and trustworthy, and 65% view him as a strong leader.
The survey also showed that 81.7% of Ukrainians expect solidarity and a more pro-state approach from the opposition. Respondents believe the opposition should find a way to cooperate with the president.
Controversies over the survey. Musk attacks
The results of the KIIS survey were criticised by US presidential advisor Elon Musk, who claimed that the survey is "controlled" by Zelensky and unreliable. Musk also suggested that KIIS received funds from the American agency USAID, which he referred to as a "criminal organisation."
Earlier, Donald Trump also questioned his compatriots' support for Volodymyr Zelensky. The White House host claimed that only 4% of citizens support the Ukrainian president. Trump did not disclose the source of this information, and experts pointed out that it is false. In recent surveys, Zelensky regularly receives over 50% support.
Trump's words, however, align with Russian propaganda, which has been questioning Zelensky's presidency since the start of the war in Ukraine. One of the aims of Vladimir Putin's regime with the Russian invasion was to install a puppet leader in Kyiv. This plan, however, did not succeed.
Survey methodology
The survey was conducted from 22 November 2024 to 7 January 2025, using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Residents of territories occupied by Russia and Ukrainians living abroad did not participate in the study.
