New poll reveals 32% of Ukrainians “open to territorial concessions for peace”

Source: KIIS polling group

In a revealing new poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KMIS), a notable 32% of Ukrainians said they would agree to territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for peace. This figure marks a significant shift in public sentiment compared to the last years.

The survey reveals  that the willingness to cede territory is relatively uniform across Ukraine. Specifically, the breakdown is as follows:

• 30% of respondents in central Ukraine
• 31% in western Ukraine
• 33% in eastern Ukraine
• 36% in southern Ukraine

This is a marked increase compared to the poll conducted in May 2022 when the support for territorial concessions stood at  10%.  There has been a gradual increase in the number of those in favor of the move since October 2023, areaching the current 32%.

According to the July poll,  73%  of those saying yes to the territorial loss said Ukraine and Russia should be separated by closed borders, including visa requirements and customs controls after the war is over. This sentiment is echoed by 79% of respondents who oppose territorial concessions.

The poll was carried out through telephone interviews from May 16-22, 2024, and June 20-25, 2024, covering all government-controlled regions.