Ukrainian confidence in Zelensky rises amid Trump criticism, poll shows

A survey conducted by the International Institute of Sociology in Kyiv between 8 and 16 October shows that 54% of Ukrainian respondents now have confidence in President Volodymyr Zelensky, while 41% lack trust. The institute notes that the confidence metric had been stable since late August-early September, but a noticeable increase occurred within the polling period, rising from 43% trust on 8-9 October to 57% on 10-16 October after the diesel-agreement with Russia drew criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump.

KIIS executive director Anton Hrușetski describes the shift as a surge of national solidarity and cautions that without the diesel deal and added pressure on Ukraine, confidence could have slipped below 50% for the first time. He adds that the future trajectory of public trust will largely hinge on how Western allies communicate and act.