72% Ukrainians back President Zelenskyy, oppose elections amid war: Poll
What's the story
A recent survey has indicated a massive increase in the popularity of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose approval rating has reached 72%.
The Ipsos/Economist poll also found that 62% of Ukrainians opposed holding elections during the ongoing war.
This is consistent with Ukraine's constitution, which bans elections under martial law, which is currently in place due to Russia's invasion.
Rising support
Zelenskyy's popularity continues to rise amid international criticism
Zelenskyy's approval ratings have been steadily climbing in the past few weeks.
A recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute for Sociology (KIIS) found that his approval rating has increased from 57% to 67%.
KIIS executive director Anton Hrushetskyi said the poll showed Ukrainians were rallying behind Zelensky more than three years after Russia invaded the country.
Ipsos survey also suggests if elections were held today, Zelenskyy would win against Valery Zaluzhny, a popular former top general.
Unexpected outcome
Trump's criticism seems to have backfired
Hrushetskyi said that Ukrainians want peace but one that does not come at a high price.
"Ukrainians really want peace, but our results consistently show that the vast majority are against peace on any terms," he said.
Zelenskyy, who won 73% of the vote in the 2019 presidential election, has remained in office beyond his original May 2024 term limit.
War impact
Ukrainians prefer stability over elections amid ongoing conflict
United States President Donald Trump had last month called Zelenskyy a "dictator with elections."
Again, last week, he and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for the military support the US had provided.
Zelenskyy has since tried to repair ties, calling the way things had gone in Washington "regrettable."
On Wednesday, the US agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after the latter expressed readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire in the conflicts.