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By Staff Writer with Agencies
Recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked controversy over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval ratings. Trump, speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago following U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, claimed—without evidence—that Zelensky’s popularity had plummeted to just 4%. This statement has been widely challenged by independent polling data and Ukrainian officials.
The Claim
During his press conference, Trump argued that Zelensky’s approval rating was alarmingly low and suggested that Ukraine should hold elections despite martial law restrictions. He reiterated this assertion in a Truth Social post, where he labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and accused him of misleading Western leaders.
The Facts
Multiple credible polls contradict Trump’s claim. The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) released a poll in early February showing that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky, up from 52% in December 2024. Furthermore, an October 2024 survey by the International Republican Institute found that 69% of Ukrainians approved of his actions.
Additionally, Zelensky himself dismissed the 4% figure, attributing it to Russian disinformation. In a news conference, he cited another survey showing that 58% of Ukrainians expressed confidence in him and accused Trump of repeating narratives originating from Moscow.
The Response
Trump’s comments have triggered a diplomatic spat, particularly as U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg is set to visit Kyiv for high-stakes discussions. The timing of Trump’s remarks has raised concerns about their potential impact on U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
Despite Trump’s claims, political analysts emphasize that Zelensky remains relatively popular, though his ratings have declined from the exceptionally high levels seen earlier in the war. His approval ratings remain significantly higher than Trump’s recent figures in U.S. polls, which hover around 47-48% according to Gallup and YouGov.
The Verdict: False
There is no credible poll indicating that Zelensky’s approval rating is in the single digits. Reputable surveys consistently place his support between 50-60%, making Trump’s claim unfounded and misleading.