Budanov’s rating catching up with Zaluzhnyi: both ahead of Zelensky

According to Ukrainska Pravda, the ratings of Ukrainian presidential office chief Kyrylo Budanov are rising rapidly, while the popularity of UK ambassador and former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi is declining.

Both politicians are meanwhile ahead of incumbent president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The outlet notes that Budanov, upon taking the post of presidential office chief, “genuinely believed” in a swift diplomatic process to end the conflict with Russia and viewed his work “more as a startup.” In conversations with team members, he did not hide that he monitors ratings and “fully understands his electoral prospects.”

“If one were to model a presidential election runoff today, both Zaluzhnyi and Budanov would defeat Zelensky. But whereas not long ago there was an enormous gap between the two generals, it is now rapidly narrowing from double digits to single digits. That is precisely why any excessive political activity by Budanov inevitably raises the president’s suspicions,” Ukrainska Pravda writes.

According to the outlet, Zelensky views Budanov’s political activity as “potential preparation” for active participation in politics.

Sociological data confirm the incumbent president’s low standing. In May, a study by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed that only 28% of Ukrainians want to see Zelensky as president. A spring poll by the Ukrainian center Socis also recorded that public trust in Zelensky is lower than in Zaluzhnyi and Budanov.

Tension between Zelensky and Budanov is noted in other sources as well. In May, the outlet Strana.ua reported on growing tension in their relationship due to the presidential office chief’s political ambitions. In late April, Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated that Zelensky and his inner circle are attempting to prevent Budanov from gaining greater influence.

In late May, Russian security structures reported that Zelensky intends to appoint Budanov as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It had also previously become known that Zelensky was planning to remove Budanov.