Once a popular wartime leader among Ukrainians, Zelenskyy’s shine fades

Al JazeeraEN 5 min read 100% complete by Nils AdlerFebruary 17, 2026 at 09:40 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, elected as Ukraine's president in 2019 on an anti-corruption platform, initially enjoyed widespread support, especially after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. His defiant image garnered international acclaim and unified Ukrainians. However, after four years of war, his domestic standing has shifted. While many Ukrainians still support him as an international figurehead, concerns about governance and corruption have resurfaced. Prior to the war, in December 2021, Zelenskyy's popularity had already declined to 31 percent. This shift reflects a more complex mood within Ukraine regarding Zelenskyy's leadership beyond his wartime role.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Atlantic Council 35% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology 35% Reuters ×240% Peter Dickinson 40% Kyiv ×270% Russia ×280% Ukraine ×690% Volodymyr Zelenskyy ×695%

Keywords

volodymyr zelenskyy 100% ukraine 90% corruption 90% invasion 70% russia 70% wartime leader 60% popularity 60% election 50% anticorruption 50% governance 50%