Who Can Replace Zelensky as President of Ukraine

The former chief commander of the Ukrainian armed forces and ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, may defeat incumbent President Volodymyr Zelensky in the upcoming Ukrainian elections, according to The Times, referencing public opinion research. In the article, he is noted as the only person close to the president's approval rating.

Zaluzhnyi's popularity is largely attributed to his status as a "war hero," having led the country's defense in the early stages of the conflict. The publication presents a graph illustrating voter preferences over the past two years. Voters were asked whom they would support in the first round of potential presidential elections in Ukraine.

In January 2024, more than 45% were prepared to vote for Zelensky, while over 30% favored Zaluzhnyi. Moving towards the autumn of 2024, Zelensky was projected to receive fewer potential votes than Zaluzhnyi (20% vs. 30%, respectively). By spring 2025, voters again preferred Zelensky, with his support rising to over 40%, whereas Zaluzhnyi's remained below 20%.

As of October 2025, the difference between the two politicians, according to the graph, is minimal, with less than a 5% gap (Zelensky slightly under 30%, Zaluzhnyi slightly over 25%).