Zelensky remains only trusted politician in Ukraine, poll says

Ukrainian President Zelensky continues to be the
single politician to command the trust of the public, which is targeting the blame
for its troubles on all others, according to the latest polls released on May
4. About 57.0% of the public said its trusts Zelensky, compared to 36.8% who
don’t trust him. Needless to say, no other politician would come close to
Zelensky if presidential elections were held now. About 45.1% would vote for
Zelensky, compared to 12.8% for former President Poroshenko. Prime Minister
Denys Shmyhal, who was appointed on Mar. 4, enjoys just
13.3% of the public trust, while being distrusted by 38.3%. The poll was
conducted by the Western-financed Razumkov Center between Apr. 24 and 29 among
2,056 respondents.

Zenon Zawada: The public
support for Zelensky is mind-boggling given his inability to make much progress
in the myriad of troubles engulfing Ukraine. They include the ongoing war in
Donbas, the economic recession caused by the coronavirus, public discontent
with quarantine measures, ongoing reports of corruption, the potential for Ihor
Kolomoisky and his allies to undermine Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic future, and the
rising influence of those indifferent or hostile to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Zelensky’s resilient public support speaks to the power of celebrity and little
else.

So the big question is when will the curtain be pulled
that exposes the wizard for he who is – a professional entertainer, utterly out
of place as president, struggling daily to cope with colossal challenges.
Though we shared the speculation that he might resign, we see no reason for him
to do so with such resilient support. We expect Zelensky to expend his
“celebrity capital” for as long as he can, especially by shifting blame onto
those around him and rotating them every half-year or year or two.