Kyiv — Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhny and Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak lead Ukrainian public approval ratings, according to new polling data that offers insight into the country's civil-military dynamics during wartime.
The Kyiv Independent reported that Zaluzhny's continued strong public support, despite his removal from military command earlier this year and subsequent appointment as ambassador to the United Kingdom, reflects enduring respect for his leadership during critical phases of Ukraine's defense against Russian invasion.
Yermak's high ratings, meanwhile, indicate public confidence in the presidential administration's strategic direction, even amid the inevitable tensions that emerge in any wartime government managing both military operations and complex diplomatic negotiations with international partners.
The polling data reveals a nuanced public perspective on leadership during the most consequential period in modern Ukrainian history. Zaluzhny became a national figure for his role in planning the defense of Kyiv in early 2022 and subsequent counteroffensives that liberated Kharkiv and Kherson regions. His methodical approach and willingness to speak candidly about battlefield challenges resonated with both military personnel and civilians.
His replacement by General Oleksandr Syrskyi in February 2026 sparked debate about civil-military relations during wartime. Some observers interpreted the change as necessary evolution in military leadership; others saw it as evidence of friction between Zaluzhny's assessments of military realities and political expectations in Kyiv.
Yet the polling suggests Ukrainians distinguish between respecting military leadership and supporting presidential authority. 's strong showing indicates that criticism of specific decisions does not translate into rejection of the administration's overall management of the war effort.
