Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's approval rating has surged by 10 percentage points despite escalating friction with Washington, according to a new poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). The survey, conducted between February 14 and March 4, highlights a rally in public confidence as the country navigates strained ties with its top military ally.
The data, released Friday, shows 67% of Ukrainians expressed trust in Zelensky in March, up from 57% the previous month. Disapproval ratings also dropped sharply, falling from 37% to 27% during the same period.
Analysts link the shift to heightened national solidarity amid critical geopolitical challenges. The polling window overlapped with a contentious February 28 White House meeting, after which U.S.-Ukraine relations faced increased scrutiny.
KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi noted the findings reflect a "rally-around-the-flag" effect, with many Ukrainians interpreting Washington's shifting rhetoric as a collective challenge. "This isn’t just about leadership—it’s perceived as an attack on national identity," he said.
The results underscore Zelensky's resilient political standing more than three years into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even as international alliances face stress tests.
