Mr. Zelenskys other major project, a campaign he calls deoligarchization thats aimed at capping the influence of the very wealthy, looks more like a P.R. It's an imperfect democracy, but it is a democracy. Zelensky has not elaborated on the details of his Jewish upbringing, or his religiosity, but he also hasnt shied away from expressing an occasional message of Jewish pride and a strong sense of solidarity with Israel. Volodymyr Zelensky has become the epitome of an unlikely hero . Three-quarters of Democrats and Democrat-leaners say they have confidence in Biden's international abilities, compared to just 16% of Republicans and Republican-leaners. This time last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the idea Russia would invade. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Volodymyr Zelensky has become a hit across the world . The New Statesmans weekly environment email on the politics, business and culture of the climate and nature crises - in your inbox every Thursday. Zelensky is followed by French President Emmanuel Macron (55%), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (53%), President Biden (48%) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (15%). Zelensky's approval rating falls below 50%. The source specified that only Ukrainians living in Ukraine were surveyed. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Weve had political figures who are deeply aligned with the Jewish community and use that as a jumping off point for political power. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (also transliterated as Zelensky or Zelenskiy; born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former comedian and actor who has served as the sixth and current president of Ukraine since 2019.. Born to a Ukrainian Jewish family, Zelenskyy grew up as a native Russian speaker in Kryvyi Rih, a major city of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central Ukraine. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. All rights reserved. ESTRIN: Well, if you look at this poll from last week, over half of Ukrainians polled think Zelenskyy would not be able to protect Ukraine in case of a full-scale Russian invasion. The presidents tense relationship with the press doesnt help, either. His approval rating is in the low 40s. According to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, only 30 per centof the countrys people want Zelenskyy to run for a second term and even fewer,23per cent, would vote for him. Go deeper: The latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Strategic objectives are sacrificed for short-term benefits. I buckle up and prepare to skate, something I have not done in quite a while. to find a solution to the long-running conflict in the east of the country had only limited success, and last year his approval rating fell . Statista. It was typical of the same tensions, she said, that a decade or so earlier had assailed John F. Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic president. "Do You Approve or Disapprove of The Actions of The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky?. Before running for president, Zelensky was a comedian. Distribution and use of this material are governed by And yet, he says, everyone realizes that Russia wants to take advantage of Zelenskyy's lower approval ratings right now to weaken him with this threat of an invasion. The translator was heard pausing and choking up while conveying Zelensky's words. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Early in his tenure, Mr. Zelensky commanded more power than any of his predecessors had. Has it contributed to the conflict in any way? Zelenskys ambitions appear to be colliding with his populist rhetoric, while his willingness to succumb to pressure from oligarchs is gradually losing him the trust of Ukrainians and the West. But the successes largely stopped there. But Ukrainians have little confidence that Zelenskyy can ensure that stability. By the time Zelensky joined the Servant of the People series in 2015, he was one of Ukraines most famous pop culture figures. Survey characteristics refer to the latest survey, which was conducted throughout Ukraine excluding territories of Crimea and Donbas not controlled by the government. But in times of national emergency, true leaders rise to the occasion. Another poll released last week showed the president receiving a higher approval rating 47 percent following his first address to the nation, compared to 39 percent in February. UNIDENTIFIED INTERPRETER: Zero, zero, zero. This is not Russia. MAX VASYLCHUK: I mean, in my childhood, I was a hockey player. His fame and anti-establishment allure landed him with a parliamentary majority, a handpicked cabinet and a mandate for reform. "The biggest risk for Ukraine and the biggest risk for the sovereignty of our state is destabilization within our state," Zelensky said. KELLY: She tells me that when he became president in 2019, that is when the skating rink was built. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How can I be a Nazi? Zelensky said Thursday, without specifically mentioning his Jewishness. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the U.S. Congress on March 16, 2022, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Hed still be likely to win, but the historic 73 percent he scored in the second round feels like a distant memory. (Ukrainian presidential press) Before Russia invaded his country, Volodymyr Zelensky had an approval rating within Ukraine of around 32 per cent. The study also found that 71.1% of Ukrainians believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, an increase from the 68.7% in July. The latest. The results of such polls are displayed in this article. Yet the truth is more prosaic. Around 7 in 10 Americans (72%) have a lot or some confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, higher than any other international leader recorded, a new Pew Research survey found. Quick and essential guide to domestic and global politics from the New Statesman's politics team. His first year in charge was chaotic. His recent failure to gain the support of local districts further exhibits Zelensky and his partys decline and their inability to deliver meaningful political change in Ukraine. Russia's goal, he says, is. But many were also worried that if he failed to follow through on the many ambitious promises that boosted him to a sweeping electoral victory reforming a corrupt political system, standing up to Russia, restoring general confidence in government that angry citizens could blame his Jewishness. Mr. Zelensky, the showman and performer, has been unmasked by reality. "Ugh a sign at a construction site in downtown Ottawa," reads the tweet's caption. Yet Mr. Zelenskys behavior, odd to the point of erratic, obscures a truth: He has no good options. We walk into a small, heated tent, and they hand us skates. By the numbers: Zelensky has a 72% positive confidence rating, with Americans voicing "some or a lot" of confidence in the Ukrainian President. Zelensky has toed a line between, projecting a strong patriotic front against Russia, and working to delicately stand up to the nationalists. President Zelenskys Servant of the People party suffered significant setbacks in the 2020 Ukrainian local elections, manifesting the decline of Zelenskys popularity and the nations waning trust in the ruling government. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes questions at a press conference on April 23, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Ukraines next parliamentary election will be held in 2023 and all opinion polls show that the ruling pro-presidential Servant of the People party may lose control of parliament. UNIDENTIFIED INTERPRETER: If the person was born to be a politician, yeah, it's OK. 10: Around the Cabinet in 49 Days, Enduring Denialism: A Threat to Sustainable Peace in Colombia. But this understandable effort to project calm and steady skittish markets was undermined by his showy style. I clomp over to the rink - kids, parents spinning, circling, wiping out. A noteworthy feature of the elections was Ukraines well-functioning democracy, as local incumbents secured their posts and only a few won their mandates without run-offs. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. But a video of Zelensky and his team defiantly announcing they are staying in Kyiv circulated widely on Friday, as supporters around the world characterized him as a beacon of honor in an age of leaders only interested in preserving their own status. A Jan. 19 Facebook post ( direct link, archived link) features a screenshot of a tweet that includes a photo of a sign with the words "15-minute city" written on it. .css-16c7pto-SnippetSignInLink{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;}Sign In, Copyright 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved, adidas Promo Code - $30 Off 1000s of Best-Sellers + Free Shipping. Continue reading your article witha WSJ subscription, Already a member? The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Jonathan Sarna, a professor at Brandeis University and one of the foremost historians on Jewish history, said that whatever the outcome, Zelensky could end up in a pretty singular place in the history books. Others, like some of the ones skating in front of the office of the president, say they still support him. INA KULIG: (Non-English language spoken). So he says right now, a lot of critics of Zelenskyy are saying with Russian troops at the borders, it's not the right time to call for Zelenskyy to resign. Lord Ashcroft Polls published approval ratings in Ukraine with President Zelensky, unsurprisingly, the most popular with 93% approval. Want more international stories in your inbox? . His approval rating, despite starting at a high of 55 percent in January 2021, spent the year in freefall. And that Jewish identity has been repeatedly seized on by enemies and rivals, and celebrated by Jewish supporters around the world. but ultimately became a successful comedian, joining a popular comedy group that performed across the former Soviet Union. International Republican Institute. People who think the country is . First round. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that these funds are extremely important, as they allow us to cover the unfunded part of the state budget and support the segments of the population that need it most. Zelensky, an entertainer-turned-politician, saw his approval ratings steadily decline since his election in 2019, continuing a string of displeasure with leadership within Ukraine over issues. Climate Change, Hurricanes and US Security, Opinion: Churn in No. I point to the building next to us and ask her, what does she think of the president? [1] In May 2021, Zelenskyy stated that it was too early to say whether he will run for a second term, but this decision would depend on the attitude to him in society and would be influenced by his family.[1]. "For instance, about two-thirds of Democrats voice confidence in Macron and Scholz, while only about four-in-ten Republicans say they have confidence in each European leader.". VASYLCHUK: In my childhood in St. Petersburg. Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. Profit from the additional features of your individual account. And given his nonpolitical roots, one of the unlikeliest. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. All Rights Reserved. Today, though, as of last week, a poll shows that 30% only support this president. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY suffered a "huge political blow" as he faced being ousted before the Russian invasion, a Ukrainian political expert has told Express.co.uk. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. During the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election candidate (and latter winner of the election) Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was running for only one term. ESTRIN: He says in this video, who likes it when the president appoints his best man or his friend from the army? The United States War Against Russian Disinformation: Is the GEC Fit for Purpose? His opponents said he was so inexperienced, he was bound to be a disaster. As the West pursued megaphone diplomacy to discourage an invasion, Mr. Zelensky tried to downplay the threat. Towering over us is the office of President Zelenskyy. A fleece jacket worn and signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sold for 90,000, or around $111,000, at a fundraiser for Ukraine in London on Thursday. He has excelled in the role of warrior-president and won the hearts of the people he was elected to serve. A weekly newsletter helping you fit together the pieces of the global economic slowdown. Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1100076/volodymyr-zelensky-s-approval-rating-ukraine/ (last visited March 04, 2023), Do you approve or disapprove of the actions of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky? (2022). KELLY: Wow. . Within that group, 33% have the highest level of confidence in Zelenskyy's leadership abilities. NATALIA SLASTINA: (Non-English language spoken). After his nearly three years in office, its clear what the problem is: Mr. Zelenskys tendency to treat everything like a show. Initial indications of progress were overshadowed by Zelenskys decision to replace the reformist ministerial cabinet and other critical state officials with controversial figures in March 2020. He's young - 44 years old - Ukraine's first Jewish president. When asked whether they approve of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's performance, 59% said they strongly approved and 32% that they somewhat approved of it. In addition, Zelenskys party, which initially voted with reformist parties such as Holos and Petro Poroshenkos European Solidarity, has recently voted against reforms with OPFL. The skating rink admittedly is a little harder to storm. Hey there. More than half of Americans have confidence in Macron and Scholz, while ratings for the Chinese leader remain unchanged from the past year at 15%. Russia's goal, he says, is to weaken Ukraine's leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers have been arguing in recent days that they don't want to cede any territory to Russia in the . He appointed the head of his own television production studio to be the head of the Ukrainian version of the FBI. Thanks to an unprecedented effort from the International Republican Institute to conduct a nationwide poll of Ukraine during a time of war, we now know what its people think about the conflict, their leadership and the future of their country. The man now seen as the face of resistance to Russian military aggression voiced the Peruvian bear in the . Zelensky was born in a Russian-speaking area of eastern Ukraine to Jewish parents, a mother who was an engineer and a father who is a computer scientist. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "Here are some helpful resources to make sense of it all. Throughout 2020 his approval rating steadily fell. Along the way, he married a high school classmate, with whom he has two children, a 17-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. . After winning the election as a political novice with 73% of the vote, Mr. Zelenskys public approval rating had fallen to only 25% last October. WION: "Approval ratings of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fall amid Russia conflict" Paul Provenza, author of Satiristas! Throughout the conflict, he has . Two years after the war, his son was born. Any decisive move against Russia, on the other hand, risks giving the Kremlin a pretext for a deadly invasion. You only have access to basic statistics. Show publisher information Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy for dealing with . DNIPRO, Ukraine When Volodymyr Zelensky, the Jewish comedian recently elected the president of Ukraine, announced that he was running, the chief rabbi for the eastern Ukrainian region where Mr . When .css-1h1us5y-StyledLink{color:var(--interactive-text-color);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1h1us5y-StyledLink:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, nearly every international observer expected a Russian victory within days or at most a few weeks. Positioning himself as the antithesis of Poroshenko, Zelensky ran in the presidential election as a populist politician who defends the interests of the people against the ruling class. . His government was pursuing a political rival on treason . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Sign up for JTAs Around the World newsletter. In normal circumstances, that would be bad enough. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who had no experience of politics when elected less than three years ago, has suddenly emerged as a convincing war leader. Chart. And when the reviews are bad, he stops listening and surrounds himself with fans. His supporters thought that he would break away from the old ways and end corruption. He has been the president for two - more than two years right now. The Comedian-Turned-President Is Seriously in Over His Head, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/21/opinion/ukraine-russia-zelensky-putin.html.