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The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Zelenskiy says Ukraine 'fully supports' joint statement by European leaders
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace, in Rome, Italy, July 9, 2025. Italian Presidency Press Office/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests. French, Italian, German, Polish, British, Finnish and European Commission leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end the war, but emphasised the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees for Kyiv. "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," Zelenskiy wrote on X. "Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine." Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. He has talked up the prospect of a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict. Zelenskiy and his European allies have warned that any deal requiring Ukraine to surrender significant parts of its territory would only encourage Russian aggression. (Reporting by Dan PeleschukEditing by Elaine Hardcastle and Christina Fincher)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Zelenskiy says Ukraine 'fully supports' joint statement by European leaders
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace, in Rome, Italy, July 9, 2025. Italian Presidency Press Office/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests. French, Italian, German, Polish, British, Finnish and European Commission leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end the war, but emphasised the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees for Kyiv. "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," Zelenskiy wrote on X. "Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine." Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. He has talked up the prospect of a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict. Zelenskiy and his European allies have warned that any deal requiring Ukraine to surrender significant parts of its territory would only encourage Russian aggression. REUTERS
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ukrainians' trust in Zelenskiy dips after wartime protests, pollster finds
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace, in Rome, Italy, July 9, 2025. Italian Presidency Press Office/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo KYIV (Reuters) -Public trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fell to its lowest level in around six months following rare wartime protests against a move to curb the power of anti-corruption watchdogs, a leading Kyiv pollster said on Wednesday. The survey, by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, is the first by a major Ukrainian pollster to measure public sentiment since Zelenskiy sparked anger with a move to subordinate the agencies to a hand-picked prosecutor-general. Thousands of Ukrainians had rallied in Kyiv and other cities late last month against the fast-tracked measures, prompting Zelenskiy and his ruling party to quickly reverse course. The KIIS poll, which began a day after the controversial vote on July 22, found that 58% of Ukrainians currently trust Zelenskiy, down from an 18-month high of 74% in May and 67% in February-March. The move against anti-corruption authorities last month had fuelled discontent in particular because of what critics described as the speed and lack of transparency with which the measures were passed. Fighting corruption and improving governance are key requirements for loan-dependent Ukraine to join the European Union, a step many consider critical to fending off future Russian pressure. While much smaller, the demonstrations had prompted comparisons to Ukraine's 2014 Maidan revolution, when protesters toppled a leader accused of graft and heavy-handed rule in favour of closer ties with the West. KIIS found that those who distrust Zelenskiy cited corruption and his handling of the war as the top two reasons, at 21% and 20%, respectively. Trust had already been decreasing before the protests, it added, but the demonstrations "undoubtedly had an impact" on the continuing slide. Zelenskiy's lowest wartime trust rating was 52% in December 2024, according to KIIS. The latest survey involved more than 1,000 respondents across government-controlled Ukraine. 'WORRYING SIGNAL' In a research note, executive director Anton Grushetskyi said Zelenskiy still enjoyed "a fairly high level of trust" but said the gradual decrease should serve as a warning. "The persistent downward trend is a worrying signal that requires attention and thoughtful decisions from the authorities," he wrote. Zelenskiy, after bowing to pressure and submitting new legislation reversing the controversial measures last month, said he "respects the position of all Ukrainians". However, some protesters interviewed by Reuters said the scandal had at least somewhat altered their perception of Zelenskiy, whose office has also faced allegations of using wartime to centralise power. It has denied those charges. "On the first day of the protests, I thought #12414 simply as a reminder," said 22-year-old IT worker Artem Astaf'yev, referring to the controversial law's designation. A first-time protester, Astaf'yev added that he would probably not vote for Zelenskiy's ruling Servant of the People party in future polls. Elections are currently suspended under martial law. Others like Yuriy Fylypenko, a 50-year-old veteran, said the public outcry had proven that Ukraine's traditionally vibrant civil society could be stoked even in wartime. "We have been convinced that Ukraine is not sleeping, that Ukraine is full of potential to defend democratic principles." (Reporting by Dan Peleschuk)
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Zelenskiy's trust level dips after wartime protests, pollster finds
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace, in Rome, Italy, July 9, 2025. Italian Presidency Press Office/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo KYIV - Public trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fell to its lowest level in around six months following rare wartime protests against a move to curb the power of anti-corruption watchdogs, a leading Kyiv pollster said on Wednesday. The survey, by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), is the first by a major Ukrainian pollster to measure public sentiment since Zelenskiy sparked anger with a move to subordinate the agencies to a hand-picked prosecutor-general. Thousands of Ukrainians had rallied in Kyiv and other cities late last month against the fast-tracked measures, prompting Zelenskiy and his ruling party to quickly reverse course. The KIIS poll, which began a day after the controversial vote on July 22, found that 58% of Ukrainians currently trust Zelenskiy, down from an 18-month high of 74% in May and 67% in February-March. The move against anti-corruption authorities last month had fuelled discontent in particular because of what critics described as the speed and lack of transparency with which the measures were passed. Fighting corruption and improving governance are key requirements for loan-dependent Ukraine to join the European Union, a step many consider critical to fending off future Russian pressure. While much smaller, the demonstrations had prompted comparisons to Ukraine's 2014 Maidan revolution, when protesters toppled a leader accused of graft and heavy-handed rule in favour of closer ties with the West. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol exec condo unit Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong out of SEA Games contingent Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen KIIS found that those who distrust Zelenskiy cited corruption and his handling of the war as the top two reasons, at 21% and 20%, respectively. Trust had already been decreasing before the protests, it added, but the demonstrations "undoubtedly had an impact" on the continuing slide. Zelenskiy's lowest wartime trust rating was 52% in December 2024, according to KIIS. The latest survey involved more than 1,000 respondents across government-controlled Ukraine. 'WORRYING SIGNAL' In a research note, executive director Anton Grushetskyi said Zelenskiy still enjoyed "a fairly high level of trust" but said the gradual decrease should serve as a warning. "The persistent downward trend is a worrying signal that requires attention and thoughtful decisions from the authorities," he wrote. Zelenskiy, after bowing to pressure and submitting new legislation reversing the controversial measures last month, said he "respects the position of all Ukrainians". However, some protesters interviewed by Reuters said the scandal had at least somewhat altered their perception of Zelenskiy, whose office has also faced allegations of using wartime to centralise power. It has denied those charges. "On the first day of the protests, I thought #12414 simply as a reminder," said 22-year-old IT worker Artem Astaf'yev, referring to the controversial law's designation. A first-time protester, Astaf'yev added that he would probably not vote for Zelenskiy's ruling Servant of the People party in future polls. Elections are currently suspended under martial law. Others like Yuriy Fylypenko, a 50-year-old veteran, said the public outcry had proven that Ukraine's traditionally vibrant civil society could be stoked even in wartime. "We have been convinced that Ukraine is not sleeping, that Ukraine is full of potential to defend democratic principles." REUTERS
The Star
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ukraine's Zelenskiy to hold more meetings with US officials in Rome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale Palace, in Rome, Italy, July 9, 2025. Italian Presidency Press Office/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS
