Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval rating has surged by 10 per cent points following a verbal assault from US President Donald Trump, according to a new opinion poll released Friday.
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 67% of Ukrainians now trust Zelenskyy—up from 57% a month ago—after Trump branded him a "dictator" and falsely claimed his approval stood at just "four percent," reported AFP.
A war of words turns into a show of support
The poll was conducted between February 14 and March 4, a period that saw tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump escalate dramatically. The feud reached its peak on February 28, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office before dismissing him without finalizing a critical minerals deal. Days later, Trump escalated his stance, suspending U.S. military aid to Ukraine on March 3.
Yet, instead of weakening Zelenskyy’s standing, the attacks appear to have consolidated support for him at home. Anton Grushetsky, executive director of KIIS, noted that Ukrainians saw Trump’s comments as more than just personal insults—they viewed them as an attack on Ukraine itself.
“At least for now, we are witnessing a process of unification of society against the backdrop of new challenges facing Ukraine,” Grushetsky said in an analysis of the findings.
How Ukraine responded
While Zelenskyy's support is strong nationwide, the poll showed regional variations: trust was highest in central and western Ukraine, while in the east—closer to Russian-controlled areas—it stood at 60%. Meanwhile, 29% of Ukrainians said they distrusted him.
The timing of the survey means it does not fully reflect the impact of Trump’s latest move—the cancellation of U.S. military aid. Researchers expect this could further shift public sentiment in the coming weeks.
For now, Trump’s attacks have given Zelenskyy an unexpected boost—turning a political insult into a rallying cry for national unity.
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