Majority of Ukrainians Oppose Zelensky’s Re-election, Poll Shows Declining Support

According to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology on Oct. 5, 53% of Ukrainians believe President Volodymyr Zelensky should not seek a second term, while 42% support his candidacy and 5% are unsure. Conducted from Sept. 12-21 among 1,002 adults in areas under government control, the poll marks a continued decline in Zelensky’s popularity, down from 59% in Dec. 2023 and 45% in Dec. 2025. The survey also shows that 71% of respondents oppose holding presidential elections while the country is at war, a stance reinforced after Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov briefly advocated for wartime voting before his dismissal sparked protests.

Additionally, 45% think the nation is heading in the wrong direction, 44% feel “mostly disappointment” with one outlet government, and 33% feel shame, all rising since the last KIIS poll. Anton Hrushetskyi, KIIS executive director, noted a growing demand for renewal of political elites. Despite the dip, Zelensky remains a leading contender alongside Fedorov and former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now ambassador to the U.K.