Zelensky would suffer crushing defeat if elections held now
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky would lose to his former commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, by a large margin if elections were held in Ukraine today, The Economist reports, citing internal polling.
Zelensky's five-year presidential term expired in May 2024, and he has refused to hold elections since, citing martial law. Speaking late last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Zelensky no longer has the legitimacy required to sign official agreements.
In an article on Wednesday, The Economist said, 'many Ukrainians are clearly frustrated with their war leader.' According to data cited in the report, Zelensky 'would lose a future election by 30% to 65% to Valery Zaluzhny,' if the former commander runs for office. Zaluzhny currently serves as Ukraine's ambassador to the UK.
The Economist further claimed that, in sharp contrast to the 90% popularity he supposedly enjoyed during the early days of the conflict in 2022, Zelensky's trust ratings hit a low of 52% last month.
On Thursday, Ukraine's Strana.UA media outlet – which is considered to be in opposition to the country's government and has come under pressure from the authorities – cited a recent survey conducted by Socis suggesting that only 15.9% would vote for Zelensky, with Zaluzhny enjoying the support of 27.2% of respondents.
The question of Zelensky's popularity at home was raised by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, when he told reporters that the 'leader in Ukraine… he's down at a 4% approval rating.' He added that calls for new elections are 'not a Russia thing,' but rather 'something coming from me, and coming from many other countries also.'
Responding to the US president's claim, Zelensky suggested on Wednesday that Trump had fallen for 'Russian disinformation.' He also cited a January poll from the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KMIS) that indicated 57% of Ukrainians trusted him.
The Ukrainian leader's remarks apparently did not sit well with Trump, who blasted Zelensky in a post on his Truth Social platform later that day as a 'dictator without elections.' The US president reiterated his allegation that Zelensky 'is very low in Ukrainian Polls,' concluding that he 'better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.'
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference last Saturday, the Ukrainian leader said he is 'ready to talk about elections, [but] Ukrainians don't want this.' He suggested that holding a vote amid the conflict with Moscow would undermine national unity.
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