Criticism of Ukriane’s authorities has increased in Ukrainian society in December 2023, compared to December 2022, a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed.
Despite downward dynamics, President Zelenskyy retains the majority of public trust at 62% (down from 84% in December 2022). At the same time, 18% of respondents do not trust him (increased from 5% in December 2022)
“On the one hand, there is a significant decrease. On the other hand, it remains unambiguously positive with a significant predominance of those who trust the president compared to those who do not trust him,” the KIIS reported.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces retain absolute public trust, both in December 2022 and now – 96% of Ukrainians trust them. In addition, 88% of Ukrainians trust the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Valeryi aluzhnyi (4% do not trust).
“In the current situation, it is important to understand how the fields of trust in the President and Commander-in-Chief ‘intersect’,” the KIIS said.
At the same time, 59% of Ukrainians trust both Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi. The share of Ukrainians with polarized views is “quite small.”
“Only 14% trust Zaluzhnyi and at the same time do not trust the Zelenskyy, and only 1% trust the Zelenskyy but do not trust Zaluzhnyi” the survey showed.
According to KIIS data, the trust of Ukrainians in other governmental institutions decreased.
35% of Ukrainians trust Ukraine’s Parliament, Verkhovna Rada, compared to 15% in December 2022. While distrust rose from 34% to 61%.
Trust in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) decreased slightly to 58%, compared to 63% in December 2022. In contrast, 16% distrust it in 2023. Trust in the police dropped more significantly, from 58% to 41%, while distrust rose from 14% to 29% (in December 2022 and 2023, respectively).
Trust in the courts and prosecutors is low at 12% and 9%, respectively. Distrust stands at 61% for courts and 64% for prosecutors (in December 2022 and 2023, respectively).
At the same time, there is still high trust in volunteers – 84% trust them, and only 3% do not trust them (in December 2022, the figures were almost identical), the KIIS report showed.
KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi said that the increase in criticism and loss of confidence in the government “is most likely a consequence of unfulfilled expectations for this year.” On the other hand, he added, “claims regarding the efficiency and transparency of activities.”
However, the KIIS Executive Director said that “criticism is not currently turning into demands for elections (the absolute majority is against any elections). The majority of Ukrainians retain confidence in the president, Hrushetskyi said and added that it is “necessary to maintain the manageability of state institutions during this difficult period and to conduct difficult negotiations with Western partners.”
“An essential result is that 59% of Ukrainians simultaneously trust both Ukraine’s president and the Commander-in-Chief. Ukrainians demand unity, and therefore the actions of individual government representatives to discredit the Commander-in-Chief cause sharp rejection in society,” Anton Hrushetskyi said.
The results of the International Republican Institute (IRI) poll, conducted in September 2023, showed that 96% of respondents support Ukraine’s Armed Forces, indicating they “approve” of the forces’ work, down slightly from 100% in April 2022. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scored second on the list with 82% of respondents approving his performance.
Why might there be a slight difference in public support for Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi?
Recently, media discussed the possible “dissent” between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelesnskyy and Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. Zaluzhnyi recently gave an interview to the Economist, saying Russia’s war against Ukraine is turning into a “positional’ struggle” with static and exhausting battles. Zaluzhnyi also characterized the situation as reaching a “dead end” on the front lines and indicated a transition to positional warfare, where Ukraine might not have a distinct advantage.
During a press conference alongside the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing situation on the front lines, emphasizing that “it is not a stalemate but rather a challenging circumstance that requires careful consideration and strategic planning.”
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of not losing hope and surrendering a portion of the Ukrainian nation. Zelenskyy also said that there is a need for closer collaboration with international partners, particularly in bolstering air defense capabilities and unblocking the airspace to enable Ukrainian troops to carry out offensive actions.
Zaluzhnyi also said in the interview for the Economist, published on 1 November, about the need for air and drone superiority and more effective counter-battery fire, demining forces, and more enormous reserves.
“To win this war, Ukraine needs high-technology weaponry,” Zaluzhnyi said.
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