Poll reveals divide: Ukrainians split over borders and peace terms with Russia
Number of Ukrainians supporting return to 1991 borders has sharply decreased (photo: Getty Images)
More than 33% of Ukrainians believe that to conclude a peace deal with Russia, it is necessary to liberate Ukraine from Russian forces within the 1991 borders, according to data from a sociological study published by Kyiv Security Forum.
According to poll data, Ukrainians' opinions on minimally necessary conditions for peace with Russia are divided. Most respondents (33.2%) consider liberation of Ukraine from Russians within 1991 borders necessary, while 25.5% — within borders as of February 24, 2022.
At the same time, 3.7% of respondents allow full withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions within their administrative borders.
Minimum conditions for peace with Russia (infographic: ksf.openukraine.org)
It is noted that in June 2024 return to the 1991 borders was supported by 51.5% of Ukrainians. At the same time number of respondents who allow fixing borders along the frontline has increased — from 9.4% in June 2024 to 23.5% in February 2026.
Aspects of the peace deal
Research data show that 73.1% of citizens are not ready to give up real security guarantees for Ukraine, and 73.3% — assistance in the country’s economic recovery.
72% of surveyed Ukrainians are convinced that Russia must be held accountable for war crimes, and 69.3% supported collecting reparations from the aggressor country in favor of Ukraine.
Aspects of possible agreement with Russia (infographic: ksf.openukraine.org)
In addition, 62.7% of respondents believe that Ukraine's control over Donbas must not be conceded.
The majority of Ukrainians (90%) still believe that Ukraine should carry out strikes on the territory of the aggressor country. Among them, the share of those who limit themselves to military targets has decreased.
