Majority of Ukrainians doubt peace talks will bring lasting peace, poll shows
Most Ukrainians do not believe in success of negotiations and oppose withdrawal of Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas (photo: Getty Images)
The majority of Ukrainians (70%) do not believe current negotiations will lead to lasting peace. More than half of respondents also oppose the withdrawal of troops from Donbas even if security guarantees are provided, according to data from a survey by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
According to sociologists, the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians — 70% — do not believe the current trilateral negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine will lead to lasting peace.
"Believe – 25%. The remaining 5% were undecided. There have been no changes on this issue since mid-January 2026," the statement says.
Photo: screenshot of the KIIS survey
At the same time, 57% of respondents are categorically against the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas in exchange for security guarantees from the United States and Europe.
Overall, 36% are ready to support such a proposal (mostly reluctantly), and another 7% were undecided or refused to answer.
KIIS reminded that it first asked this question in mid-January 2026, repeated it at the end of January, and again in mid-February.
At the end of January, 52% were categorically against such an initiative, while 40% were generally ready to support it. In mid-January, these figures were respectively 54% and 38%.
Sociologists note that over the past month, no significant changes in public sentiment have occurred. In particular, no increase in readiness to agree to troop withdrawal has been recorded.
If analyzing the balance of responses (share of those categorically against minus share of those generally in favor), then in mid-February it stands at +21% compared with +12% at the end of January and +15% in mid-January.
Separately, KIIS emphasized that the question did not concern official recognition of Donbas as part of Russia or final renunciation by Ukraine of these territories. Likely, in the case of direct formulation of such a condition level of support would be lower.
Peace negotiations
Since the beginning of 2026, Ukraine has held several rounds of negotiations with Russia.
The main issue that has not yet been resolved is control over the non-occupied territories of Donbas.
Russia insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, Ukraine proposes freezing positions along the front line, and the United States advocates the creation of a free economic zone in these territories.
As Bloomberg writes, citing informed sources, the next round of negotiations is to take place March 4–5, and it will be decisive.
Also, recently President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made an important statement about a new round of negotiations with Russia.
