The results of a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology revealed that 70% of Ukrainian citizens do not hold out hope that the current negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with the participation of the USA, will lead to lasting peace. Only 25% of respondents expressed faith in a successful conclusion to the talks, while another 5% were unable to determine their position.
This is reported by Finway
Ukrainians’ Attitudes Toward Concessions Regarding Donbas
The survey also showed that the majority of Ukrainians—57%—are categorically against withdrawing Ukrainian troops from Donbas, even in exchange for security guarantees from the USA and European countries. Meanwhile, 36% showed some willingness to consider such a proposal, although mostly reluctantly. Another 7% could not provide a clear answer to this question.
“At the end of January 2026, 52% were categorically against and 40% were generally willing to support such a proposal; in mid-January 2026, the figures were 54% and 38%, respectively. Thus, overall, there have been no significant changes in public sentiment over the past month; in particular, we do not observe an increase in the willingness to agree to such a proposal (which was likely one of the goals of the Russian campaign of terror during the cold winter). On the contrary, when analyzing the balance of responses (% of those categorically against minus % of those generally in favor), it is better in mid-February than in January (+21% now compared to +12% at the end of January and +15% in mid-January),” the report states.
The authors of the study emphasized that the question did not pertain to the official recognition of Donbas as part of Russia. They stressed that if respondents had been asked to support an official renunciation of the territories, support for such an idea would have been even lower.
The Negotiation Process and Positions of the Parties
The survey was conducted from February 12 to 24, 2026, through telephone interviews among 2004 respondents aged 18 and older, living in Ukrainian-controlled territories across all regions of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the end of February the possibility of a new trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the USA, and Russia at the beginning of March in Abu Dhabi, although the final time and place remain uncertain due to the security situation and diplomatic opportunities.
Several rounds of negotiations involving the three parties have already taken place in January and February, but no specific results have been announced. However, as a result of the meeting on February 5, an agreement was reached on the exchange of prisoners of war— the first in the last five months.
U.S. Special Representative for President Donald Trump, Stephen Witkoff, recently stated in an interview that he expects positive news in the coming weeks and does not rule out a personal meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The U.S. President himself expressed the opinion before the negotiations in Geneva on February 17-18 that Ukraine should quickly engage in the talks. Earlier, Trump emphasized that Russia is interested in reaching agreements amid the war.
Despite the active involvement of the USA as a mediator, the Russian Federation continues to insist on its maximalist demands, including Ukraine’s renunciation of Donbas, and rejects Western security guarantees. Analysts estimate that the Kremlin is not prepared to limit itself to merely territorial concessions and seeks broader goals.
At the same time, Ukraine emphasizes the importance of obtaining reliable security guarantees from the USA and European partners to ensure effective protection against further Russian aggression.