Ukrainians trust Zelensky, but trust even more — those associated with the front

As of May 2026 the majority of Ukrainians continued to trust President Volodymyr Zelensky. The results of a survey by the indicate this.

According to sociologists, 61% of Ukrainians trust Volodymyr Zelensky, while 34% expressed distrust. The trust–distrust balance is +27%.

Compared with April 2026, the figures have hardly changed, although the trust–distrust balance has slightly improved.

Among those who support the president, 33% said they trust him completely, and another 28% – rather trust him. At the same time 20% of respondents said they do not trust him at all, and 13% – rather do not trust him.

Among political and socio-political figures the best trust ratings, according to KIIS, are held by the mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov – 52% trust versus 19% distrust, and also the Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov – 50% trust versus 21% distrust.

Also mentioned in this list is the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Kim: 47% of respondents trust him, 27% do not.

The lowest level of trust among politicians, sociologists recorded for the head of the parliamentary group “Platform for Life and Peace” Yuriy Boyko – 6%, and also the leader of the party “Batkivshchyna” Yulia Tymoshenko – 11%.

Separately, high trust ratings are held by figures from the defence sphere. The former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi is trusted by 73% of Ukrainians, distrusted by 21%.

The Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi is trusted by 70% of respondents, distrusted by 7%.

The Head of the Office of the President, former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov is also trusted by 70% of Ukrainians, while 22% do not trust him.

The survey was conducted from 7 May to 3 June 2026 by telephone interviews. It involved 1,015 respondents. The sampling statistical error does not exceed 4.1%.

Reminder, earlier we wrote:

• Most Ukrainians would support a peace agreement with Russia in exchange for EU accession (survey)
• 40% of Mykolaiv residents would choose a new president, 34% support Zelensky
• Elections during the war: only 10% of Ukrainians support the idea
• Painful compromises: 72% of Ukrainians are ready to freeze the front for the sake of security – KIIS survey
• Should you trust Trump? A survey shows Zelensky’s high rating