Most Ukrainians are prepared to make territorial concessions in the interests of lasting peace, but only on condition that they receive reliable security guarantees from the US and their European partners. According to a survey by the «Rating» Sociological Group, conducted on 3–5 October 2026, 56% of respondents support this position. At the same time, 57% are in favour of ending hostilities and seeking a compromise through negotiations. However, a willingness to reach an agreement does not mean supporting peace at any cost: for the majority of those surveyed, the terms of any future agreement are of fundamental importance.
Most Ukrainians are willing to make concessions, but are demanding security guarantees
New research A survey by the «Rating» sociological group has shown that Ukrainians’ attitudes towards a possible end of war depends, first and foremost, on the terms of the peace agreements.
According to the results of the survey, 56% of respondents are prepared to make territorial concessions in order to achieve lasting peace. At the same time, they emphasise the need for security guarantees from the US and European countries.
This is not just a matter of political assurances. The conditions include continued funding for the Ukrainian Defence Forces and the provision of the necessary weaponry to the army.
A further 35% of those surveyed are categorically opposed to territorial concessions as a means of achieving peace.
Only 3% are prepared to make such concessions without preconditions. The remaining 6% have not yet decided how to respond.
Thus, the willingness of a section of society to consider compromises is directly linked to the issue of Ukraine’s future security.
57% supports a ceasefire and negotiations
One specific question in the survey concerned the preferred scenario for the future course of the war.
The majority of respondents — 57% — support a cessation of hostilities and the search for a compromise solution through negotiations.
At the same time, the views of those in favour of continuing the fighting have become divided.
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The 21% support continuing the war until the Donbas and Crimea are returned.
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13% are calling for hostilities to continue until the lines of control as at 23 February 2022 are restored.
The researchers also asked what Ukrainians considered to be a realistic way to end the war.
57% referred to negotiations aimed at finding a compromise involving other states. A further 26% believe it is possible to end the war through direct negotiations.
These results reflect the preference for a diplomatic approach amongst those surveyed, but do not specify the exact terms to which they are prepared to agree.
Who should decide on territorial concessions?
Sociologists paid particular attention to the question of who should make the final decision if territorial concessions were to become one of the conditions of a peace agreement.
The overwhelming majority of respondents — 68% — are convinced that such a decision should be taken directly by the Ukrainian people in a nationwide referendum.
By contrast, 17% believe that this is a power of the President, whilst 9% believe it is a power of the Verkhovna Rada.
According to sociologists, this view has remained virtually unchanged over the past year.
That said, the respondents’ answers reflect their social expectations rather than determining the legal procedure for altering Ukraine’s territory.
Peace or victory: how Ukrainians’ attitudes have changed
Respondents were also asked to say which they considered more important: achieving peace or victory.
Half of those surveyed, 50%, agreed with the statement that peace is more important than any victory.
41% Ukrainians hold the opposite view. They believe that victory is more important than any peace.
A further 9% were unable to make up their minds.
At the same time, sociologists have noted a shift in public sentiment against the backdrop of intensified Russian shelling over recent months.
According to the Rating Group, the proportion of those who prioritise victory over peace has increased. This points to a diversity of public opinion: support for negotiations goes hand in hand with demands for security and the preservation of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
62% Ukrainians believe that there is currently no winner in the war
The researchers also found out how Ukrainians assess the current situation of the parties on the battlefield.
The majority of those surveyed — 62% — believe that neither Ukraine nor Russia is currently winning the war.
A further 26% are convinced that Ukraine has the upper hand. Only 6% of respondents believe that Russia has the upper hand.
Consequently, the vast majority of respondents do not see a clear advantage for either side at this stage of the war. At the same time, these responses represent the views of the public, rather than a military analysis of the situation on the front line.
How the survey was conducted
The survey by the «Rating» Sociological Group was carried out between 3 and 5 October 2026.
A total of 1,000 adult respondents took part in the survey. The survey was conducted by telephone using the CATI method, with a random sample of mobile numbers. The survey covered territories under Ukrainian control, with the exception of temporarily occupied areas and localities where there is no Ukrainian mobile network coverage.
The sample is representative in terms of age, gender and type of settlement. The stated statistical margin of error is no more than 3.1 percentage points, with a 95 per cent confidence level. The results reflect public sentiment in early October, but do not imply that Ukrainians automatically agree to any specific peace agreement.
