A recent survey indicates that a significant portion of the Ukrainian population is against the idea of transferring control of the Donbas region to Russia, even if it comes with security assurances from the United States and Europe. Conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) between March 1 and March 8, 2026, the poll included responses from 1,003 participants.
According to the findings, 62% of Ukrainians view the complete transfer of the Donetsk region to Russia as an unacceptable condition. In contrast, only 33% would consider such a concession, while 5% remained undecided. This marks an increase in opposition compared to mid-February, when 57% were against the idea.
The survey also explored the implications of clearly defining what security guarantees entail. In a previous experiment conducted in February, when respondents were informed that U.S. security guarantees would not involve troop deployments, airspace closures, or free weapon provisions, support for such proposals significantly decreased.
Furthermore, the KIIS noted a correlation between attitudes toward the Donbas transfer and the willingness to endure the ongoing war. Among those firmly opposed to ceding the region, 67% expressed readiness to fight as long as necessary. Conversely, only 26% of those willing to agree to a trade-off indicated they would endure the conflict until its resolution. This suggests that those against relinquishing Donbas exhibit greater moral resilience regarding the prolonged conflict.
Anton Grushetsky, the executive director of KIIS, emphasized that for Ukrainians, security guarantees are a crucial issue. He stated that for most, peace would lack meaning and value if it came at any cost.
A recent KIIS survey reveals that 62% of Ukrainians oppose ceding the Donbas region to Russia, even for security guarantees from Western nations. The findings highlight a strong correlation between attitudes toward the conflict and willingness to endure its hardships.