The majority of Ukrainians (77%) are positive about the idea of a temporary 30-day ceasefire, but only 18% consider it a real step towards ending the war on acceptable terms. These are the results of a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) from 12 to 22 March 2025.
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Until 18 March, 47% of respondents believed that such an initiative would demonstrate Russia’s unwillingness to negotiate or its propensity to violate agreements. 12% saw it as a way to unblock international military assistance. At the same time, 17% of respondents had a negative attitude to the truce: 8% considered it a mistake that would weaken Ukraine, 7% saw it as a manifestation of the government’s desperation, and 2% saw it as a step closer to surrender.
After Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin on 19 March, the situation changed. 79% of Ukrainians said that Russian demands for a ceasefire were categorically unacceptable. However, 16% are ready to accept them, although for most of them it will be a difficult decision.
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Despite discussions about a ceasefire, 82% of respondents said that Ukraine should continue fighting. Only 8% are inclined to capitulate in the event of a complete withdrawal of US support. At the same time, the majority of citizens believe that a ceasefire without security guarantees is unacceptable (62%).
KIIS Executive Director Anton Grushetskyi noted that the survey results demonstrate that Ukrainians want peace, but not at any cost. ‘People are ready to discuss even difficult compromises, but there is a clear consensus: capitulation is unacceptable, and reliable security guarantees are a key condition for ending the war,’ he said.
The survey was conducted by telephone interviews (CATI) based on a random sample of mobile numbers in all government-controlled regions of Ukraine. A total of 1,326 people aged 18 and over were interviewed. The statistical error is up to 3.5%.
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