Although Ukrainian president Zelinsky's approval ratings had plummeted before the war, his unwillingness to leave Kyiv and his role in leading the country through the war have now propelled his popularity again. In the capital Kyiv, Ukrainians stopped by AFP are full of praise for President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian who quickly transitioned to wartime leader as Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. Even those who admit doubts about his competence appear won over: "I will tell you frankly I did not vote for him, I did not vote for Zelensky. But during the war he showed himself as a mature politician, which I didn't expect him to," financier Sergiy says.