Russians want peace talks, but not a ceasefire - survey

In May 2025, the level of support for the war reached 80%, previously this level was recorded in March 2022 and February 2025. The share of respondents who are against the war with Ukraine reached its lowest level - 13%.

The share of Russians who believe that it is now time to start peace talks has increased to its maximum value—64%. The share of supporters of continuing the war has reached its lowest level in the entire period of observation (28%).

The negotiations held between the Russian and Ukrainian sides in Istanbul on May 16 are supported by the majority of Russian residents - 87%, while 6% of respondents do not support them.

Among the two proposed scenarios for ending the war against Ukraine, the majority of respondents (73%) support the one where the parties first eliminate the “root causes of the conflict” and only then agree on a ceasefire, while 18% of respondents hold the opposite view - first a truce and a ceasefire, and only then resolve other issues.

According to the respondents, Ukraine and European countries are primarily to blame for the failure to agree on an end to the war unleashed by Russia (36% each). The United States is to blame - 14%, the Russian side - 3%.

The Levada Center survey was conducted from May 22 to 28, 2025, among 1,613 people. The research is conducted at the respondent's home by personal interview. The statistical error (with a probability of 0.95) does not exceed 3.4%.

According to a February poll by the Levada Center, the majority of Russians (75%) would support Vladimir Putin's decision if he decided to end the war with Ukraine “this week.” However, only 28% of Russians would support ending the war if the occupied territories of Ukraine were returned.

At the June 2 talks in Istanbul, the Russian side refused to call a ceasefire. Moscow put forward peace conditions that meant Ukraine's surrender in a war that Russia did not win.