
People walk along Khreshchatyk street as the evening sun breaks through the clouds after a rainy day in Kyiv, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, February 5, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo
Poll Shows Increased Support for Territorial Concessions Among Ukrainians for Quick End to War
A recent poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) reveals that nearly a third of Ukrainians are now open to making territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict. This marks a significant increase from last year when only 10% supported such concessions.
Key Findings of the Poll
The poll, conducted from May 16-22 among 1,067 respondents in Ukrainian-held territories, found that 32% of Ukrainians would agree to some form of territorial concessions. This is a notable rise from 19% at the end of the previous year. Despite this shift, the majority of Ukrainians (55%) remain opposed to any territorial concessions.
Context of the Conflict
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion nearly 29 months ago, currently occupies approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. Ukrainian forces have struggled to regain territory in the face of a sustained Russian offensive, following a largely unsuccessful counteroffensive last year.
Details on Concessions and Public Sentiment
The survey did not specify the nature or extent of the territorial concessions respondents would be willing to consider. KIIS clarified that willingness to concede territory does not necessarily imply recognizing it as part of Russia. “For example, some people are ready to postpone the liberation of certain territories until the future at a better time,” KIIS stated.
In 2022, Russia unilaterally declared the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, despite only partial control over these areas.
Executive Commentary
Anton Hrushetskyi, Executive Director of KIIS, emphasized that Ukrainians are generally against the idea of peace at any cost. “It’s … important that in the context of possible ‘concessions’, Ukrainians are against ‘peace on any terms’,” he noted, underscoring the nuanced perspectives of the Ukrainian populace on the issue of territorial concessions and peace negotiations.
This shift in public opinion reflects the complex and evolving nature of the conflict and the diverse views among Ukrainians regarding potential pathways to peace.
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