«If someone wants to change me right now, it won't work» — Zelenskyy said he has a high rating

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his support rating among Ukrainians remains high, so he sees no reason for any changes in his position.

He said this at a press conference on 29 February, amid talks between the US and Russian delegations.

As you know, on 18 February, at a briefing following the talks between the US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump said that the level of support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy had allegedly fallen to a record low of 4%.

Following US President Donald Trump's statements, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published a new survey on trust in the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy stressed that according to the KIIS poll, his level of trust is 57%, while other sociological studies even show higher figures.

«I never comment on ratings, because commenting on ratings for myself or for other leaders means that there is some kind of political competition, elections are underway. We don't have that here. This morning, KIIS came out, and I know, I'm aware, but I don't comment on it officially. But since the time has come, we will take the initiative. First of all, today I have 57% confidence in me according to KIIS. I have heard 57+ in various polls. So, if someone wants to replace me right now, it won't work right now. I would say so,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented.

The President also responded to the information about low support, noting that such data is part of the Russian disinformation campaign. He added that there is evidence that these data are being actively discussed between the United States and Russia.

«Since we are talking about 4%, we have seen this disinformation, we know that it comes from Russia. We understand that, and we have evidence that these numbers are being discussed between America and Russia. Unfortunately, President Trump, who I have a lot of respect for as a leader of the people, who we have a lot of respect for, unfortunately, he lives in a disinformation space.»

He added that in opinion polls, the number one question for Ukrainians is how to protect themselves from shelling.

«And the question is not even what kind of support I have, but what is important: the ratings we pay attention to? This is the number one question today: How to protect ourselves from shelling? I think this is the most important question, I know, according to all the polls. This is the number one issue for Ukrainians. It is also the number one issue with European leaders,» the President added.

Earlier it was reported that the United States and Russia had developed a peace plan for Ukraine. It includes holding new elections as a key stage in resolving the conflict.

Elections during the war

As you know, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that elections in Ukraine are very important, but they can only be held after the hot phase of the war is over and martial law is lifted. He also said that he does not yet know whether he will run in the next election. According to him, everything will depend on the development of the situation in the country and the end of the war.

However, US Presidential Special Envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian War Keith Kellogg said that Ukraine should be ready to hold elections, as it is «a sign of a healthy democracy».

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko also suggested that the fighting could end in two to three months, but that political processes in the country have already been launched. He says that «everyone is already running somewhere, everyone is talking about some kind of elections, and at this time our heroes are dying».

At the same time, the head of the Mykolaiv regional military administration, Vitalii Kim, believes that elections are not needed during the war, but he does not rule out running for office if they are held.

Prior to that, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Kim, expressed the opinion that elections could take place in the event of a truce and the end of martial law in Ukraine this year. At the same time, he is wary of the possible establishment of military rule in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians do not want elections now, as this could lead to the occupation of the territory.