Ukrainians name two things that make them Ukrainian – survey findings

Source: KMIS

Love for Ukraine and rejecting Russian aggression are the ultimate benchmarks for being part of the Ukrainian nation, according to a recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).   Ukrainians are leaning toward an inclusive approach, focusing on shared values over labels like ethnicity, language, or region.

When asked what defines being part of the Ukrainian nation, the vast majority chose two clear criteria:

1. Love for Ukraine tops the list as a non-negotiable requirement.
2. Condemnation of Russian aggression secures your spot in the nation’s circle.

Other factors — ethnicity, language, or even where someone resides — play a role but are far from decisive.

The study broke down responses based on ethnicity, language, and region.  The key findings on their sense of belonging show that

• Ethnic Ukrainians: A solid 75% believe that being ethnically Ukrainian, combined with the two core values, makes someone unquestionably part of the nation.
• Ethnic Russians: Despite past misundestandings, 61% are open to including ethnic Russians — as long as they love Ukraine and reject Russian aggression.
• Language:
  • Ukrainian speakers lead the pack with a 77% inclusion rate.
  • Russian-speaking Ukrainians aren’t left behind, with 65% acknowledging them as part of the nation.
• Region: It turns out that geography isn’t a divisive thing. Whether someone’s from the West (69%) or East (68%), it hardly changes the perception of the issue.

Not everyone though gets the same warm welcome. Only 56-59% feel comfortable including Russian-speaking ethnic Russians. Meanwhile, just 7% of respondents believe that a person can love Ukraine, reject Russian aggression, and still not qualify as part of the nation.

The survey shows Ukrainians are setting a high bar for belonging, focusing on shared ideals and unity. While ethnic and linguistic divides haven’t disappeared completely, the survey shows a nation leaning into tolerance and inclusivity, but still with a few reservations.