Most Ukrainians reject giving up Donbas in exchange for security guarantees, poll finds
Photo: Pressure on Ukraine has not changed attitudes regarding the Donbas (Getty Images)
Most Ukrainians are categorically opposed to giving up Donbas to Russia in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe, according to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
KIIS asked people about the following condition for peace: Ukraine withdraws its troops from the parts of Donbas it controls, including Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, and these territories come under Russian control. In return, the US and Europe provide Ukraine with security guarantees.
Sociologists have been asking this question since January 2026. This time, 61% responded that such a condition was absolutely unacceptable to them.
Photo: KIIS poll (kiis.com.ua)
Another 35% would consider this option, but most of them describe it as a difficult decision. Only 7% would agree without significant hesitation. Another 4% of respondents were unable to decide.
Compared with late July and early August, there have been no significant changes.
Has pressure on Ukraine changed people's minds?
The poll was conducted from October 8 to 16. Therefore, sociologists compared responses collected before the announcement of the diesel deal and the subsequent pressure on Ukraine with those collected afterward.
Among those surveyed on October 8-9, 57% were categorically opposed. Among those surveyed on October 10-16, the figure was 62%.
"Formally, the difference is within the margin of error, but we see that (at least) for now, the pressure campaign on Ukraine has not led to any greater readiness to accept this proposal," the press release said.
What people in the regions say
In all regions, half or more of respondents reject this proposal. The largest share of those willing to approve it is among residents of the East, primarily the Kharkiv region. There, 45% would agree, while 51% are categorically opposed.
In other regions, including the South and the Lower Dnipro region, between 60% and 66% are categorically opposed.
"Despite the relentless campaign of bombing Kyiv with ballistic missiles and jet drones, the majority of residents of the capital (66%) are categorically against such a proposal," KIIS noted.
Formally, the capital has the highest share of such respondents among all regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Washington's actions look like an attempt to exert pressure to force Ukraine to capitulate.
Among these steps, he cited restrictions on Starlink and delays in deliveries of Patriot missiles.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, known as "Flash," said that military Starlink in Ukraine had been restricted at speeds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.
According to him, no advance warning was given, resulting in several missions being disrupted.
