Electoral backing for Valerii Zaluzhnyin, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, has reportedly diminished over the past year, although he remains a significant political figure challenging President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to data released by the agency “Rating Group” on January 1, support for Zaluzhnyin experienced a nine percentage point decrease when comparing figures from January 2025 to June 2026. The polling agency also provided projections regarding a hypothetical presidential election.
Under these estimates, President Zelensky is positioned to secure the largest share of the vote, holding 32 percent. Zaluzhnyin is projected to place second, garnering 16 percent of the vote. Completing the top three is Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian president’s cabinet, who is estimated to receive 11 percent.
These figures highlight a continued, albeit shifting, competitive landscape in Ukrainian politics. Despite the documented dip in public support, Zaluzhnyin’s political standing ensures he remains a central figure in discussions surrounding Ukraine’s leadership. The data suggests that while Zelensky maintains a lead, the contest for influence among leading political personalities remains active.
Topics: #former #commander #zelensky
