Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recieved a double-digit polling boost back at home after his clash with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week, according to a new survey.
Newsweek reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, on February 24, 2022. While the U.S. has been a close ally, delivering Kyiv billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid, President Donald Trump's administration has shifted Washington's policy on the conflict, arguing that Ukraine should be prepared to make concessions to bring an end to the conflict.
Growing tensions between Trump and Zelensky came to a head when they met in the Oval Office last Friday to discuss a rare minerals deal. The meeting spiraled into shouting, and Zelensky left without a deal. Since then, Trump has halted aid to Ukraine that has been critical to its efforts to combat the Russian invasion.
What to Know
Zelensky's approval among Ukrainians grew following the dispute, according to a new poll from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), which surveyed 1,029 Ukrainians from February 14 to March 4, 2025.
It found that 67 percent of Ukrainians trust Zelensky, compared to only 29 percent who do not. This marks a double-digit shift from a poll conducted at the beginning of February, which showed 57 percent of Ukrainians trusting Zelensky and 37 percent who do not.
The report also showed that respondents after the spat were more likely to say they trust Zelensky. Among those who responded to the poll from March 1 to March 4, 2025, 68 percent said they trust Zelensky, and 28 percent said they do not.
This marks his strongest poll from KIIS since December 2023, when 77 percent of Ukrainians said they trusted their president.
Zelensky aide Mykhailo Podolyak told French news outlet Le Point this week that the Ukrainian leader will not apologize to Trump over the meeting, as U.S. officials have insisted.
"He was absolutely right in form and substance when he tried to convey to our American partners the key idea: nothing will be done without coercion of Russia. It is impossible to achieve positive results by counting on voluntary concessions from Moscow. Without coercion of Russia, there can be no peace negotiations. Our president tirelessly explains to our partners what this war is and who provoked it...So we will not apologize for a supposed mistake that did not take place," Podolyak said.
Meanwhile, Trump's approval on foreign policy has dropped following the clash.
A survey conducted by Reuters and Ipsos between March 2 and March 4, 2025, showed 37 percent of respondents approve of the way Trump is handling foreign policy, while 50 percent disapprove.
What People Are Saying
Zelensky wrote on X: "Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders; it's a historic and solid bond between our peoples. That's why I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation.
"American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We're truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them."
Anton Hrushetsky i , executive director of K I IS, in the poll report: "Ukrainians perceive the rhetoric of the new US government as an attack on all of Ukraine and all Ukrainians. Of course, the statements that Ukraine allegedly 'provoked' Russia or is responsible for the invasion, that Russia should not be called an 'aggressor' at all, conducting negotiations without Ukraine's participation, the US voting 'against' the resolution at the UN, and so on are completely at odds with Ukrainian public opinion."
Samuel Ramani, associate fellow at the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, on X: "Zelensky is experiencing a patriotic rally of support in Ukraine after the Oval Office meeting. Zelensky's approval rating has bumped up to over 2/3 of Ukrainians according to the latest polls."
What Happens Next
The minerals deal has still not been signed, and it's unclear whether peace talks will soon bring an end to the years-long war between Ukraine and Russia.
Related Articles
Ukraine Deploys French Mirage Jets To Repel Russian Missiles
Donald Trump Insists Russia Has 'All the Cards' In Ukraine Peace Deal Talks
Saudi Arabia Wins Over Trump With Trillion-Dollar Bid
Zelensky Won't Apologize to Trump Over 'Useful' Conversation: Aide
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM.