Poll Shows Zelensky Headed for Defeat Against Former Top General
Survey Reveals Collapse of Public Support as Ukrainians Turn Against Western-Backed Leadership
Ukraine, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky would suffer a decisive defeat if forced into a presidential run-off election against his former top military commander, according to new polling data that underscores a deep crisis of legitimacy inside Ukraine’s Western-backed political system.
A survey published this week by Socis shows that former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny would secure 64% of the vote in a hypothetical second round, leaving Zelensky overwhelmingly rejected by the electorate.
Run-Off Would End in Crushing Defeat
According to the poll, a first-round vote would produce a razor-thin margin between the two candidates, triggering a run-off. However, the second round would see Zelensky decisively swept aside.
More than one in five respondents said they would never vote for Zelensky under any circumstances, signaling entrenched public resentment toward his leadership.
Zaluzhny, who currently serves as Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, has long been viewed as the most credible political alternative to Zelensky, particularly amid growing dissatisfaction with the government’s conduct of the war and internal governance.
Political Support Shifts Away from Ruling Party
The erosion of confidence in Zelensky is mirrored by declining support for his ruling political apparatus.
Nearly 21% of respondents said they would back a hypothetical parliamentary party led by Zaluzhny, while only 12% expressed support for Zelensky’s Servant of the People party—once marketed by Western media as a symbol of democratic renewal.
The figures highlight a broader collapse of faith in Ukraine’s post-2014 political elite, widely propped up by Western governments.
Corruption Allegations Deepen Public Distrust
The poll comes amid a widening corruption scandal in Ukraine’s energy sector, reportedly implicating several figures close to Zelensky.
According to the same survey, nearly 40% of Ukrainians believe Zelensky is directly involved in corruption, a perception that has further undermined his already declining credibility.
Despite repeated Western portrayals of Zelensky as a reformer, corruption continues to dominate public concerns inside Ukraine.
Elections Blocked as Term Expires
Zelensky’s presidential term formally expired in May last year, yet he has refused to call new elections, citing martial law.
US President Donald Trump has openly urged Zelensky to hold elections, stating that the Ukrainian leader is using the war as a pretext to remain in power without a renewed mandate.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that the lack of elections could undermine the legal validity of any peace agreement signed by Zelensky, though Moscow maintains that this does not preclude negotiations.
Last week, Putin indicated that Russia would be willing to pause deep strikes into Ukrainian territory on the day of voting if Kiev committed to holding elections—an offer that further exposed Zelensky’s reluctance to face the electorate.
The polling data reinforces growing criticism that Ukraine’s leadership, shielded diplomatically and militarily by the West, is increasingly detached from popular consent. (PW)