A recent poll suggests that former top general Valery Zaluzhny enjoys significant support, with 27% of respondents indicating they would vote for him in a hypothetical election.
A new survey indicates that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s approval rating stands at just 16%, if elections were held today.
Published Tuesday by the Zerkalo Nedeli news website, this Sociological Association of Ukraine poll is the first to assess Ukrainian electoral preferences since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022.
The survey reveals considerably higher support for Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s former top general, at 27%. Zaluzhny, who left his post as head of the armed forces in February, currently serves as Kiev’s ambassador to London.
Former President Petro Poroshenko garnered 7% support, while military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov received 6% in the hypothetical election scenario presented by the poll.
A notable 15% of respondents remain undecided, and 10% stated they would not participate in such an election.
The study, commissioned by American Political Services, was conducted from November 15 to 21 via telephone interviews with 1,200 individuals.
Despite his term expiring in May, Zelensky remains in power, having suspended presidential elections due to the ongoing martial law imposed during the conflict. This martial law has recently been extended until February 7, 2025.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) recently alleged that the US is considering orchestrating Ukrainian presidential and parliamentary elections next year to remove Zelensky and his government. The SVR claims the US State Department views Zelensky as “overly entitled” and seeks his removal.
According to the SVR, the US intends to initiate preliminary efforts to facilitate an election campaign in Ukraine.
The first phase involves US-funded NGOs, utilizing their influence within Ukrainian civil society, to promote the idea of holding elections. Following the attainment of “broad public support,” candidate selection would be coordinated with the State Department, the SVR asserted.