IRI Ukraine Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Zelensky, Confidence in Winning the War, Desire for EU Membership 

Kyiv, Ukraine – The latest public opinion survey conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) in Ukraine shows overwhelming support for President Zelensky, confidence in winning the war with Russia, and a strong desire to join the European Union (EU). 

When asked about President Zelensky, 94% of Ukrainians strongly approve or somewhat approve of his job performance.  

“The people of Ukraine have rallied around President Zelensky as their country continues to withstand Putin’s brutal attacks,” said Stephen Nix, Director of IRI’s Eurasia Division. “His steady guidance has provided the Ukrainian people with the leadership they need during this remarkably difficult time.” 

Ukrainians also expressed strong confidence that they will defeat Russia in the current conflict. When asked if they will win the war, 97% of Ukrainians said yes. Further, 83% believe that the war will end before the end of 2022.  

Additionally, the survey found that Ukrainians have a strong desire to join the EU. Eighty percent support joining the EU if they could enter one economic union. Only 2% would join the Customs Union with Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.  

“There is tremendous support in Ukraine among all geographic sub-groups to join the European Union,” said Nix. “Ukrainians understand that a future more closely aligned with Europe will bring peace and prosperity.”  

View the full report here.  

Methodology 

The survey was conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” on behalf of the Center for Insights in Survey Research of the International Republican Institute throughout Ukraine (except for the in the occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts) between March 30th and April 2nd, 2022, through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers.​ The total sample consists of n= 2,001 Ukrainians aged 18 and older. The sample excludes any Ukrainians not currently in Ukraine.​ The survey data obtained was weighted by regional and age indicators using data by the State Statistics Service of Ukraine as of January 1, 2020.  The margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level does not exceed 2 percentage points for the full sample.​ The response rate was 15 percent.

The study was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).