How Ukrainians see Zelenskyy, reject new peace plan, and brace for a long war - New poll

How Ukrainians view Zelenskyy

The balance of trust and distrust is +29%, which is almost the same as at the beginning of October.

At the same time, sociologists have noted positive dynamics over the past few weeks. Among those surveyed at the end of November (November 26-30), 49% of citizens trusted Zelenskyy, while in December (December 1-13), this figure rose to 63%.

The highest level of trust was recorded between December 8 and 13, with 65% of respondents saying they trusted the head of state. This indicates a noticeable increase in support for the President at the end of the year.

Source: Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

Public stance on peace plan

The majority of Ukrainians, 75%, reject the peace plan, which provides for the withdrawal of troops from Donbas, restrictions on the size and capabilities of the Ukrainian army, and, at the same time, does not contain specific security guarantees for Ukraine.

This figure remains unchanged compared to September, according to the results of a sociological survey.

According to the study, Ukrainian society considers the so-called Russian peace plan categorically unacceptable: three-quarters of respondents said that it was completely unacceptable to them. Only 17% of those surveyed are willing to agree to such a settlement model — this figure has also remained unchanged since the fall.

At the same time, the joint plan of Ukraine and Europe has significantly higher support. 72% of Ukrainians are ready to approve it, although mostly without much enthusiasm. Only 14% are categorically opposed. At the same time, the share of those who would easily agree to the European-Ukrainian plan has grown from 18% in September to 31% in December, indicating a gradual increase in public support for this scenario.

Source: Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

'As long as it takes'

"The majority of Ukrainians (63%) continue to say that they are ready to endure the war as long as it takes (in September it was 62%). Another 1% said they were ready to endure for about a year," according to the results of the KIIS survey.

15% of respondents say they expect the war to end sooner (in six months or a few months), compared to 21% in September, but at the same time, the number of those who could not answer the question increased from 13% to 21%.

In addition, only 9% of Ukrainians expect the war to end before the beginning of 2026 (in September it was 18%), and only 14% expect it to end at least in the first half of 2026 (in September it was 15%). In other words, only a quarter of Ukrainians expect it to end in the relatively near future.

"Instead, 11% say about the second half of 2026 (was 12%), 32% say about 2027 and later (was the same number). Every third respondent (33%, an increase from 23% compared to September) answered "don't know," adds KIIS.

US peace plan and push for elections in Ukraine

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine was allegedly no longer a democracy due to the prolonged absence of elections, and that the topic of war, in his words, was being used as an excuse not to hold elections.

In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that he is ready to participate in the elections. He noted that he had asked the US to help ensure security, under which the electoral process could be organized within 60–90 days.

The US, Ukraine, and Europe are actively working on an American peace plan to end the war. The most difficult issue at the moment is the question of territory, namely, Donbas. Washington demands that it be given to Russia, while Ukraine rejects such proposals.

Recently, information has emerged that the parties are discussing three key initiatives: a framework document, a security guarantee agreement, and a document defining the principles of post-war reconstruction.