A recent national poll commissioned by the New Europe Center NGO reveals that 44.6% of Ukrainians trust U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, despite his controversial remarks about halting aid to Ukraine, pushing for peace talks with Russia, and potentially withdrawing from NATO.
This is a significant shift from 2023, when only 10% of Ukrainians preferred Trump over Joe Biden, who was favored by 78%. However, 55% of Ukrainians still place their trust in Biden, according to the survey conducted in mid- to late-November.
The NGO suggests that this trust reflects Ukraine’s hopes for a clearer, more decisive U.S. policy under Trump, particularly regarding peace efforts. Trump has claimed he could end the war in Ukraine in a single day once in office, and his appointee, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, unveiled a policy plan that ties further U.S. aid to Ukraine’s participation in peace talks with Russia. Despite this, 64.1% of Ukrainians remain skeptical about negotiating with Russia.
The survey also reveals divided opinions on Western support for Ukraine. Over half of respondents (57.2%) feel that Western partners aren’t doing enough to ensure Ukraine’s victory, while 40% believe Western leaders are doing all they can.
Among global leaders, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish President Andrzej Duda are the most trusted by Ukrainians, both earning 65% approval. Duda’s high ratings are attributed to Poland’s early and continued support for Ukraine, while von der Leyen’s leadership in securing EU decisions for Ukraine’s future membership is also appreciated.
Interestingly, French President Emmanuel Macron saw an increase in trust, attributed to his proactive stance on NATO membership for Ukraine and military aid. In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and U.S. President Biden experienced the biggest drops in credibility, losing 25 and 27 percentage points, respectively.
