Conducted by FAMA research agency, the survey reflected views of Ukrainians on political leaders and their personal and professional qualities.

According to the poll results, Petro Poroshenko came ahead of Volodymyr Zelensky who was ranked second (15%). They are followed by Yuriu Boyko (11%), Yuliya Tymoshenko (8%), Ihor Smeshko (5%), Viktor Medvedchuk (4%), Volodymyr Groysman (3%), and Oleh Lyashko (3%).

The regional preferences showed Poroshenko leading in western, central, and northern Ukraine (28%, 18% , and 17% respectively), while Zelensky is mostly favored in east of Ukraine (21%) and southern region of the country (19%).

When asked about the traits and features of a political leader, 60% of respondents deem integrity, poise and trustfulness the most important for this role. Experience and professionalism were cited as the most desired professional qualities (21%), while authority, people skills, and clean reputation mattered to 9% of Ukrainians.

Among the historical figures cited fitting the definition “an ideal leader”, Ukrainians named Bohdan Khmelnytskiy, Taras Shevchenko, Vyacheslav Chornovil, Mykhaylo Grushevskiy, Iosyph Stalin, Peter I, Ivan Mazepa, Yaroslav Mydryi, and Stepan Bandera.

The survey was conducted in partnership with “Eidos” public group and with financial assistance from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Ukraine. The face-to-face survey was conducted between 3 Ferbuary and 9 February and featured 2,000 over-18 Ukrainian respondents.

The survey figures suggest the changing dynamics of voters’ preferences given the latest March slumping approval ratings of Volodymyr Zelensky.