Do we need peace at any cost: Ukrainians on the limits of what is acceptable (infographic)

War always confronts society with difficult moral and strategic choices. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the issue of territorial concessions has remained one of the most sensitive. Are Ukrainians ready to sacrifice part of their land for the sake of ending hostilities? Does the steadfastness in this matter remain unchanged?

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) regularly surveys public opinion on this issue. Another survey allows you to trace the dynamics of sentiments and understand whether the attitude of Ukrainians to possible compromises is changing. So what do the new numbers say?

Infographic: IA “FACT”

Territorial concessions: how the mood of Ukrainians changed

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian society demonstrated an almost unanimous position on territorial compromises: in 2022, 82% of citizens categorically denied any possibility of concessions. However, later, against the backdrop of a protracted war, the situation began to change. According to the latest KMIS survey, in February-March 2025, this indicator decreased to 50%. And if in May 2022, only 10% of Ukrainians were ready to consider relinquishing part of the territories as a factor in faster achievement of peace, now 39% of such respondents are.

It is noteworthy that despite the change in the international context, the internal mood of Ukrainians has recently remained stable. For example, in December 2024, the number of those who opposed territorial concessions was almost the same as today – 51%. So, although the general dynamics of the war gradually changed public opinion, its indicators actually stabilized in recent months.

The recent KMIS survey was conducted against the background of political pressure caused by the change of power in the United States. After President Trump’s phone call to Putin on February 12, 2025, it became clear that Washington was changing course on Ukraine. However, even in such a situation, the Ukrainian society did not show sharp fluctuations in views: half of the citizens continue to believe that no territorial concessions are possible, even if the war lasts longer.

The results of the survey show that during the three years of the war, Ukrainians began to assess the complexity of the situation more realistically, but the current line of division in society remains stable.

Attitudes towards compromises in the regional section

Regional differences in the attitude to territorial concessions are almost invisible – Ukrainians in different parts of the country think the same. If compared with December 2024, no significant changes have occurred: sentiment remains stable.

Infographic: IA “FACT”

Only one region stands out – the East. Here, 42% of respondents are categorically against any territorial concessions, while in other regions this indicator is 50-51%. At the same time, the idea of ​​a compromise in the East is supported by 42% of respondents – slightly more than in the Center, the West and the South (36-40%). However, these differences are rather not critical, they indicate a general trend: despite regional nuances, Ukrainians remain united in their views on the country’s future.

Infographic: IA “FACT”

Compromises depend on the vision of the goals of the war

The perception of Russia’s goals in the war directly affects Ukrainians’ willingness to compromise. The more serious people consider the threat, the more categorically they oppose concessions.

The absolute majority of those interviewed are convinced that Russia seeks either to physically exterminate Ukrainians or to destroy Ukrainian statehood itself. It is among this group of respondents that the highest level of opposition to compromises is found – 57-58% are categorically against concessions.

Infographic: IA “FACT”

On the other hand, among those who do not see Russia’s actions as an existential threat and believe that Moscow does not seek to seize more territories, only 20% are against any concessions. At the same time, in this group, the share of those who allow the possibility of a compromise is increasing sharply – from 28% to 78%.

These data once again confirm: the position of Ukrainians regarding territorial concessions is closely related to how they assess the enemy’s intentions. The greater the threat seems, the stronger the desire to fight to the end.

Ukrainians perceive the potential terms of peace agreements in different ways, and security guarantees, control over territories, EU membership and preservation of sovereignty play a key role.

Security guarantees

If the package involves a complete withdrawal from NATO without peacekeepers and additional weapons, the attitude towards it is divided: 44% can accept it, the same number are categorically against it. However, even this support is only possible if there are other bonuses, such as EU membership or the return of territories. If Ukraine renounces both NATO and the EU, support drops to 37%, and the share of opponents increases to 52%.

On the other hand, the most support is for the scenario not so much of joining NATO as of powerful armed support: if membership is postponed for 10-20 years, but Ukraine receives all the necessary weapons, 54% are ready to accept this option (against – 35%). Joining NATO will be supported by 49% (against – 38%), and the introduction of peacekeepers – 47% (against – 43%).

Membership in the EU

Rejection of the EU reduces support for the package: 42% can accept it, 45% are categorically against it. On the other hand, the inclusion of EU membership significantly increases the attractiveness of the agreement – ​​support increases to 55%, and opposition drops to 34%.

Control over territories

Without the return of territories, the majority of Ukrainians are against: if Russia keeps all the occupied lands, only 38% will support the package, and 51% will categorically reject it. However, in the presence of serious guarantees of security and membership in the EU, the willingness to make concessions increases.

The return of the South increases support to 50% (against – 38%), and the return of all territories (Donbas and Crimea) – to 57% (against – 30%). At the same time, even in this case, there remains a share of opponents who find other conditions of the package unacceptable.

A language issue

Granting the Russian language state status significantly reduces support: 41% can accept this option, and 48% are categorically against it. Preservation of Ukrainian as the only state language, on the contrary, increases approval of the agreement to 55% (against – 32%).

Sovereignty

Maintaining independence in decision-making is a critically important factor. If Ukraine has to agree on important decisions with Russia, support for the package will be only 37%, and 50% will be categorically against it. If the country retains full sovereignty, support will increase to 59%, and the share of opponents will drop to 30%.

In general, Ukrainians are ready to consider compromises, but only under the condition of preserving security, independence and prospects for European integration.