Key facts
- 67% of Ukrainians expect President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced after the war ends, according to a June 17 poll.
- This expectation has risen significantly from 23% in 2023.
- 88% of Ukrainians support a reset of central authorities post-war, up from 73% in 2023.
- Support for resetting parliament stands at 83%, and the government at 74%.
A poll released on June 17 by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) indicates that 67% of Ukrainians anticipate President Volodymyr Zelensky will be replaced following the conclusion of the war with Russia. This sentiment marks a substantial increase from the 23% recorded in 2023, as Zelensky's presidency approaches its seventh year.
The survey suggests a widespread public desire for change not only in the presidency but also across other government branches. Multiple polls have consistently shown that a majority of Ukrainians oppose holding elections while the conflict is ongoing.
Respondents were queried on whether Ukraine requires a reset and replacement of its central government, encompassing the president, Cabinet, and parliament, after the war to restore the nation. The proportion of Ukrainians expecting some level of central authority renewal has climbed to 88%, a rise from 73% in 2023.
Among those who fully trust Zelensky but still expect his post-war replacement, the figure is 33%. This number increases to 68% for those who tend to trust him and reaches 97% for those who do not trust him at all, according to the study.
The research also revealed a decrease in the percentage of Ukrainians who deem presidential interference in parliamentary and governmental affairs as justified, falling to 52% since 2022. Support for a post-war reset of parliament stands at 83%, up from 69%, while 74% back a reset of the government, compared to 47% in 2023.
KIIS director Anton Hrushetskyi stated, "The president enjoys the trust and support of Ukrainians in matters of national defense, and for the majority, he should remain in office until the end of the war. However, this trust and support aren't unconditional, but rather restrained." He added, "It is a much broader request for the renewal of the elites and the desire to see someone new in the parliament, the government, and other government bodies."
A recent KIIS poll indicated that 61% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky, a level that has remained stable despite recent developments in a significant corruption scandal during his tenure. Another study from May found that only 28% of respondents wish for Zelensky to continue as president after the war, with 16% believing he could remain in politics in a different capacity.