Zelenskyy's Approval Hits 72% in Ipsos Poll Amid Trump Tensions, 73% Voted for Him in 2019

Recent polls indicate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's approval rating has risen to 72% following tensions with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Ipsos poll, commissioned by The Economist and conducted in early March among 1,000 Ukrainians, reflects a shift in public sentiment. This increase in support comes after a contentious meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump in the Oval Office, where Trump had claimed Zelenskyy's approval had dropped to 4%. The poll suggests that Zelenskyy would win an election if held today, leading his nearest rival, Valery Zaluzhny. Only 12% of Ukrainians favor holding elections now, with 61% against them until the end of the ongoing conflict. Over seven in ten Ukrainians approve of Zelenskyy's work and trust him to lead negotiations, with 73% having voted for him in 2019. Amidst these developments, political circles in Ukraine are reportedly preparing for a post-Zelenskyy era, according to the Financial Times. Discussions about his future are heating up, with some politicians forming alliances and reaching out to U.S. conservatives, despite public support for Zelenskyy following his dispute with Trump. Trump's approval rating in the U.S. stands at 46%.