Majority of Ukrainians Favor Limiting Zelensky to One Term, While 42% Back a Second

Survey Reveals Public Opinion on Volodymyr Zelensky's Presidency

According to 5 канал: A September 2026 survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 53% of Ukrainians believe President Volodymyr Zelensky should serve only one term and not run in future elections. Meanwhile, 42% of those surveyed support him seeking a second term, and 5% remain undecided.

The poll was carried out via telephone interviews between September 12 and 21, 2026, involving 1,002 respondents aged 18 and older living in areas under Ukrainian government control. Residents of temporarily uncontrolled territories and citizens who left Ukraine after February 24, 2022, were excluded from the sample.

This shift in public sentiment contrasts with a December 2023 approval rating of 59% for Zelensky. If presidential elections were held in the latter half of September 2026, Zelensky would receive votes from 19.1% of all respondents, increasing to 23.0% among those who had made a definitive choice.

Leading Candidates in the 2026 Presidential Race

Following Zelensky in voter preference are:

• Valerii Zaluzhnyi with 19.0% overall and 22.9% among decided voters;
• Petro Poroshenko at 8.9% overall and 10.7% among decided voters;
• Kyrylo Budanov with 7.9% overall (9.5% decided);
• Andriy Biletsky at 7.2% (8.7% decided);
• Mykhailo Fedorov with 6.3% (7.6% decided);
• Dmytro Razumkov at 5.7% (6.9% decided).

KIIS notes, "Respondents were specifically asked whether Zelensky should participate in the next election. Currently, 53% believe he should limit himself to his current term (up from 46% in December 2025), while 42% support his running again (down from 45%). Five percent remain unsure."

The data also reveals a clear link between trust in the president and support for his re-election bid. Among those who fully trust Zelensky, 85% back his participation in upcoming elections. This support drops to 53% among those who somewhat trust him, and plunges to 20% and 7% respectively among respondents who rather distrust or completely distrust him.

This survey highlights the divided views among Ukrainians regarding Zelensky's potential continuation in office, as well as his standing relative to other prospective candidates in the 2026 race.

The findings underscore a growing portion of the population favoring presidential term limits for Zelensky, possibly reflecting increased public concern about his policies and their impact. This decline in backing could influence the electoral dynamics, especially amid strong competition from figures like Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Petro Poroshenko, who maintain substantial voter support. Such factors are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine's political landscape in the lead-up to the elections.

As public opinion shifts regarding Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, it's important to consider the broader context of the upcoming elections. Recent surveys indicate a competitive landscape, particularly with Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi emerging as frontrunners in the presidential race. This dynamic could significantly impact voter sentiment as the election date approaches.