A growing number of Ukrainians are willing to cede territories for peace, but they remain in the minority, according to a recent survey.

At the end of 2024, the number of Ukrainians willing to make territorial concessions for the sake of peace increased, while the proportion of those who are firmly against any concessions decreased.

The results of a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in December 2024 support this finding.

“If between May and early October 2024, the situation remained largely unchanged, there was an increase from 32% to 38% in the proportion of those generally willing to consider certain territorial concessions between early October and December. Meanwhile, the percentage of those categorically opposed to any concessions decreased,” the report states.

Researchers specifically asked how many respondents believe that people in Ukraine agree with the statement regarding the appropriateness of territorial concessions.

“Among the respondents, 78% were able to provide a definite answer (the remaining 22% stated they found it difficult to respond), and among them, the average response was 43% (meaning that Ukrainians 'on average' believe that 43% of Ukrainians in the controlled territories are ready to make concessions). This is actually slightly above the actual 38%, indicating that overall, Ukrainians are close to a realistic assessment,” researchers report.

When discussing specific "package" peace agreements, about 41% of Ukrainians are willing to accept a proposal that includes postponing the liberation of currently occupied territories and a ban on NATO membership, but with EU membership. At the same time, this option is categorically unacceptable for 47%. It is noted that in June, 38% were willing to accept this option, while 54% were firmly opposed.

An option that includes NATO membership along with EU membership, even with the condition of postponing the liberation of occupied territories, is supported by 64%, while 21% are firmly against it. In June, 47% were willing to support this option, while 38% were categorically opposed.

The third option presented to respondents, which involves NATO and EU membership along with the liberation of Kherson and Zaporizhia, and postponing the liberation of Donbas and Crimea, is supported by 60% of those surveyed, with 26% firmly opposed. In June, 57% were willing to support this option, while 33% were firmly against it.

“While Ukrainians remain flexible and open to discussions regarding the parameters of peace agreements, they simultaneously refuse to accept 'peace at any cost.' Attitudes toward the packages being considered indicate that if they included Russia's current demands, an overwhelming majority would categorically reject them,” researchers note.

At the same time, the priority remains the issue of ensuring security and protection against future invasions. Moreover, the question of the return of all territories is a sensitive one for the population.

“The fact that some Ukrainians are currently willing to accept difficult agreements reflects their pragmatic approach in the current situation. If in June we observed a noticeable differentiation and hope for the immediate liberation of Kherson and Zaporizhia, in the current situation, we see this attitude toward all occupied territories,” the report states.

The survey was conducted from December 2 to 17, 2024, using telephone interviews (computer-assisted telephone interviews, CATI) based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers (with random generation of phone numbers and subsequent statistical weighting) across all regions of Ukraine (territory controlled by the Ukrainian government), with 2000 respondents surveyed. The survey included adults (aged 18 and older) who were residing in the territory of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government at the time of the survey. Residents of territories temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities were not included in the sample (although some respondents were internally displaced persons who had moved from occupied territories), and the survey was not conducted with citizens who left for abroad after February 24, 2022.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes that a quick end to the war in Ukraine without territorial concessions from Kyiv is unlikely. In his opinion, to achieve peace, Ukraine may need to temporarily relinquish control over occupied territories.