Vladimir Zelensky would lose a presidential runoff to several potential rivals, according to a poll conducted by the SOCIS Center. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov, Ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Armed Forces commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, and the head of Zelensky’s office, Kirill Budanov*, all received stronger results.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews from July 28 to August 2. Researchers questioned 2,000 people, with a statistical margin of error of 2.6%.

Respondents were asked whom they would support in a second round if their original candidate failed to advance. Fedorov was the preferred alternative for 14% of those surveyed. Budanov* received 13.6%, while Zaluzhny secured 12.9%.

Verkhovna Rada deputy Dmitry Razumkov and Zelensky each received 5.5%. Support remained below 5% for Kharkov Mayor Igor Terekhov, Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko*, Azov** founder and first commander Andrey Biletsky*, boxer Alexander Usik, and Batkivshchyna party leader Yulia Timoshenko.

Another 15.3% of respondents were unable to make a choice, while 6.2% said they would vote for another candidate.

Zelensky also recorded the highest negative rating among the politicians included in the survey. A total of 21.1% said they would categorically refuse to vote for him under any circumstances.

Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko* was rejected by 19.3% of respondents. Rada deputy Yury Boyko received a negative rating of 14.4%, while 12% ruled out supporting Timoshenko.

Only 2.5% said they would never vote for Usik, and 1.4% gave the same answer for Zaluzhny. The share of firm opponents of Terekhov, Biletsky*, Budanov*, and Razumkov remained below 1% for each politician.

A further 14.9% could not answer the question, while 4.1% said they would not take part in an election at all.

Ukrainian media have described Zaluzhny as one of the possible contenders for the country’s leadership. In July, the Rating sociological group also reported that Zelensky trailed Zaluzhny, Fedorov, and Budanov* in public trust.

Zelensky’s presidential term expired on May 20, 2024. Ukraine did not hold an election, citing martial law and general mobilization. Zelensky argued at the time that organizing a vote would be untimely.

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump called for elections to be held in Ukraine. He described Zelensky as a dictator ruling without elections and claimed that his approval rating had fallen to 4%.

*Listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.

**The organization is designated as terrorist and banned in Russia.