Confidence in Zelensky lowest since start of war, US promises extra 200m euros

After more than two years of war with Russia, 59 per cent of Ukrainians still trust president Volodymyr Zelensky. That is the lowest level since the invasion began in February 2022. Meanwhile, US president Joe Biden has promised another 200 million euros in aid.

In the first months of the invasion, Zelensky's popularity went up rapidly, to 90 per cent in May 2022, but it has been declining since. The figure was 77 per cent in December last year, 64 per cent in February and now 59 per cent in May, according to the International Institute of Sociology in Kyiv. A failed counter-offensive, a heated debate on the mobilisation of draft-age men and corruption scandals are behind the waning popularity. 

Zelensky, a former actor, was elected president in 2019. His five-year term ended in May but has been extended indefinitely because of the war. He has said he is prepared to hold elections if necessary, but, despite his waning popularity, this is opposed by some 70 to 80 per cent of Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, Biden has announced that the US will provide another 225 million dollars, about 200 million euros, in aid, mainly in the form of military equipment such as ammunition, artillery systems and air defence, as well as funds to rebuild Ukraine's electricity grid. Since the start of the invasion, the US has already provided 50 billion dollars in aid. ​ 

Zelensky is expected to meet France’s president Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace on Friday. Marcon promised the delivery of Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine during a televised interview on Thursday.

^{Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}