1 in 3 Ukrainians say they can accept territorial concessions – survey findings

Source: Kyiv International Institute of Sociology 

One in three Ukrainians (32%) said they can accept the idea of territorial concessions if the it brings back peace to the country, while 58% oppose any compromise on the issue, according to a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

The survey results show an upward trend in the numbers of those willing to say yes to Russia’s landgrab: until May 2023, only 8-10% were okay about territorial concessions, but by May 2024, this figure had risen threefold – to 32%.  By contrast, the majority of Ukrainians —58%—still say a hard no to any territorial concessions as of early October 2024.

Regional differences are notable. In western and central Ukraine, opposition to concessions remains stable, with around 60% of Ukrainians firmly against it. In the south, opposition to concessions grew from 46% to 56%, although the overall willingness for concessions remained nearly unchanged. Meanwhile, in eastern Ukraine, willingness to consider concessions has increased although 50% still oppose any compromise.

While support for territorial concessions has grown, the majority of Ukrainians want to stand their ground rejecting copromises on the country’s territorial integrity.