More than half of Ukrainians want the war with Russia to end soon through negotiations, according to Gallup Institute polls.
The American institute stated in its latest surveys on Ukraine, conducted in August and October, that “on average, 52% of Ukrainians want their country’s leadership to negotiate an end to the war as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, “nearly 4 in 10 Ukrainians (38%) believe their country should continue fighting until victory,” Gallup reported.
By comparison, in 2022, 73% supported armed resistance, while only 22% were in favour of negotiations. In 2023, 63% advocated for continuing the war, while 27% sought a quick resolution through negotiations.
Moscow has set preconditions for negotiations, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the regions it has annexed (Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson) following “referendums” held in occupied Ukrainian territories. Additionally, it demands that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join NATO and calls for the “denazification” of Ukraine, which likely implies the establishment of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.
A recent survey also highlighted declining trust among Ukrainians toward the West. Only 40% of respondents still approve of the U.S.’s leadership role, while 37% expressed scepticism. Shortly after the war began, 66% trusted the West.
Positive views of Germany’s role remain prevalent among Ukrainians, with 50% supporting Berlin’s actions (compared to 46% in 2022 and 53% in 2023), while 29% disapprove (down from 35% in 2022 and 20% in 2023).
Although most Ukrainians still hope their country will join the European Union and NATO, expectations for membership within the next 10 years have diminished. Specifically, expectations for joining the EU within the next decade have dropped from 73% to 61%, while hopes for imminent NATO membership have fallen from 64% to 51%.
The Gallup Institute noted that the survey included 1,000 Ukrainians interviewed by phone, with a margin of error estimated at ±3%.
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Source: ANA-MPA
