MANIPULATION: Most Ukrainians do not trust Zelenskyi or the Victory Plan — poll

Russian Telegram channels, citing a video excerpt from the media outlet “Hovoryt Velykyi Lviv”, are spreading claims that most Ukrainians do not trust Zelenskyi or the Victory Plan he presented.

However, this is manipulation. Responses from four individuals do not represent the opinion of the majority of Ukrainians. In June 2024, public trust in Zelenskyi exceeded 50%. Additionally, there are no surveys on public attitudes toward the Ukrainian President’s Victory Plan, as not all its points have been made public yet.

We found the full video from “Hovoryt Velykyi Lviv,” in which a journalist asks, “Do you believe Zelenskyi’s Victory Plan will work?” In the clip, she interviewed four passersby. However, the excerpt shared by Russian sources only includes responses from two individuals, both of whom were critical of Zelenskyi and his plan.

The other two interviewees did not comment on their attitude toward the President. One man noted that it is currently difficult to predict how the war will end because several factors could influence it. He highlighted the unpredictable actions of both Russia and the West. Additionally, he mentioned the Kursk operation as a success for Ukraine, but, unsurprisingly, this part was cut by Russian propagandists. Another woman stated that Ukraine’s victory would mean the return of all occupied territories. She expressed doubt about whether Zelenskyi’s plan included this point.

However, the opinions of four individuals on a regional TV program cannot be considered representative of the majority of Ukrainians. According to the latest nationwide sociological survey (excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas with ongoing hostilities), conducted by the Razumkov Center’s sociological service from June 6 to June 12, 2024, 54% of respondents expressed trust in Volodymyr Zelenskyi, and 50% trusted the President as a social institution. Currently, there are no polls reflecting Ukrainians’ views on Zelenskyi’s Victory Plan, as the full text of the plan had not been made public as of September 20, the date “Hovoryt Velykyi Lviv” aired the interview.

Volodymyr Zelenskyi first mentioned the Victory Plan in August 2024. At the time, he indicated that several points were prepared, including four key points and one addressing the post-war period. The Times, which reviewed the plan, highlighted its key provisions:

• Providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, though membership in the alliance is not mentioned.
• Continuing the Kursk operation to create territorial “bargaining chips.”
• Requesting “specific” modern weaponry.
• Securing international financial assistance.

Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the President’s Office, outlined similar points: the plan would include military support for Ukraine, economic measures, diplomatic pressure on the aggressor, and “political coercion of Russia.”

According to him, the document structures a list of necessary weapons and equipment required to secure victory. Economically, it proposes stimulating and increasing investment in military production within Ukraine and auditing sanctions that target the aggressor. Diplomatic measures aim to strengthen relations with Global South countries with whom Russia trades. The essence of “political coercion” is Ukraine’s right to join any alliance without considering the demands of “certain third countries.”

At the same time, Zelenskyi emphasized that the Victory Plan does not include negotiations with Russia: “This is not about negotiations with the Russian Federation. It is a bridge to a diplomatic solution to stop the war. Only with a strong position that we can advance will we be able to push Putin to end the war through diplomatic means,” he said.

The original text of the plan has not yet been made public. For the first time, the Ukrainian President presented a detailed plan to Joe Biden’s administration on September 26, 2024. According to the White House, the Presidents discussed the military, political, and economic aspects of Ukraine’s Victory Plan. The parties agreed to jointly consult their teams to plan further steps. Zelenskyi also presented the plan to US Vice President Kamala Harris and bipartisan delegations from the US House of Representatives and Senate.