Kiev: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating has surged by 10 percent following a controversial argument with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. During the exchange, Trump reportedly claimed that Zelensky lacked public support in Ukraine and labeled him a dictator. The comments sparked widespread reactions, leading multiple organizations to conduct opinion polls on Zelensky’s popularity.
According to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 67 percent of Ukrainians now trust Zelensky, up from 57 percent before his U.S. visit. Analysts suggest that Trump’s remarks were perceived as an insult to the Ukrainian leader, prompting a wave of support for Zelensky among citizens.
Trump later addressed the media, reiterating his stance that Ukraine is responsible for the ongoing war with Russia. He dismissed Ukraine’s claims of Russian aggression, stating that the conflict could have been avoided through diplomacy. Trump also asserted that Zelensky’s real support in Ukraine was only 4 percent, a claim swiftly rejected by the Ukrainian president.
The verbal spat has intensified political tensions, with Ukraine continuing to push for stronger international backing amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
