Majority of Ukrainians now favor negotiating peace with Russia: Gallup
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The survey, conducted in August and October 2024, highlights growing war fatigue across all regions of Ukraine.
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People walk past the memorial to fallen soldiers in Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
A Gallup poll published Tuesday reveals a significant shift in Ukrainian public opinion regarding the ongoing war with Russia.
After more than two years of conflict, 52% of Ukrainians now support negotiating an end to the war as soon as possible, a notable increase from 27% in 2023 and a decisive departure from the 73% who supported fighting until victory shortly after the war began in 2022. Meanwhile, 38% of Ukrainians still believe their country should continue fighting until it achieves victory.
A survey conducted in August and October 2024 highlights a growing sense of war fatigue across all regions of Ukraine. Even in areas closer to the front lines, such as the East, where the conflict has been most intense, support for continuing the fight has dropped to just 27%. In contrast, 63% now advocate for peace negotiations.
Changing Perceptions
Among those who advocate for peace, over half (52%) believe Ukraine should consider territorial concessions as part of a settlement. This indicates a growing pragmatism, as only 38% of respondents in this group oppose such concessions, while 10% remain undecided.
Notably, even those who favor continuing the war are adjusting their expectations of "victory." The percentage of Ukrainians who define victory as regaining all territory lost since 2014, including Crimea, has dropped from over 90% in previous years to 81% in 2024.
Read more: Zelensky rejects ceding land in 'victory plan'; Biden vows new $425mln
Support for the war has diminished in every region, including areas far removed from the front lines. Western Ukraine and Kiev have seen some of the largest declines, with support for continuing the fight dropping by 40 and 39 percentage points, respectively.
These shifts indicate a nationwide trend toward prioritizing an end to hostilities over territorial ambitions.
52% of Ukrainians would like to see their country negotiate an end to the war as soon as possible.
— Gallup (@Gallup) November 19, 2024
More from Gallup's latest surveys in Ukraine: https://t.co/d2ulq1TW95 pic.twitter.com/wCI8k1lkeU
International Dynamics
The poll also sheds light on Ukrainians' preferences for international mediators in potential peace negotiations. A majority of respondents favor the involvement of the EU (70%) and the UK (63%), while only about half would like the US to play a significant role.
This sentiment comes amid uncertainty about future US policy, particularly with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office. Trump has repeatedly called for a swift resolution to the war, raising questions about the continuity of US military and financial support for Ukraine.
The timing of the poll coincides with President Volodymyr Zelensky's presentation of a "victory plan," which includes ambitions to join NATO and deploy Western long-range missiles against Russian territory. The plan has received mixed reactions from Western allies, compounding uncertainty over Ukraine's path forward.
Read more: What are the implications of allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia?
