A recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology reveals that a significant majority of Ukrainians do not believe that current negotiations will lead to a lasting peace in the country. The poll indicates that 71% of respondents are doubtful about the effectiveness of these discussions, while only 25% express confidence.
Furthermore, the survey highlights a strong opposition to the idea of transferring control of the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for security guarantees from the United States and Europe. Specifically, 62% of participants deemed such a concession unacceptable, while 33% were open to it, albeit acknowledging the complexity of the situation. An additional 5% of respondents were undecided.
Comparative analysis shows an increase in opposition to territorial concessions since mid-February 2026, rising from 57% to 62%. Conversely, the proportion of those willing to consider such concessions decreased from 36% to 33% during the same period.
The survey was conducted between March 1 and March 8, 2026, using telephone interviews based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers. A total of 1,003 respondents from government-controlled regions of Ukraine participated, excluding residents of temporarily occupied territories and those living abroad.
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology noted that under normal circumstances, the statistical margin of error for this sample (with a confidence level of 0.95 and a design effect of 1.3) would not exceed 4.1% for indicators close to 50%, 3.5% for those near 25%, 2.5% for values around 10%, and 1.8% for figures near 5%. However, the ongoing war introduces additional systematic deviations. Despite these challenges, the institute asserts that the results maintain high representativeness and allow for reliable analysis of public sentiment.
The latest survey from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology shows a prevailing skepticism among Ukrainians regarding the potential for peace talks to yield lasting results. Additionally, there is significant opposition to ceding control of the Donbas region to Russia, reflecting the complexities of public sentiment amid ongoing conflict.