Most Ukrainians strongly oppose withdrawing troops from the parts of the eastern Donetsk region still controlled by Kyiv, even if such a move were offered in exchange for security guarantees from Europe and the United States, according to a survey published on Friday.
Ukraine, wary due to unfulfilled commitments in the past, is seeking legally binding security guarantees to prevent any future Russian aggression, Reuters reports.
The country is currently under pressure from the United States to quickly agree to a peace deal, but has refused Russian demands to surrender territory it still controls in the eastern Donbas region — a vast, mineral-rich industrial area comprising Donetsk and Luhansk.
Russia controls nearly all of Luhansk, while Kyiv still holds around 20% of Donetsk, including a chain of strategically important garrison cities and key defensive lines.
According to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), 54% of Ukrainians categorically reject the idea of withdrawing from parts of Donbas in exchange for security guarantees from allies. About 39% said they would reluctantly accept such a deal.
“Moreover, those who are willing to agree expect very strong security guarantees. If the level of guarantees is lower than expected, support for such a proposal would be even smaller,” said KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi.
The survey was conducted in early January, with 601 respondents interviewed in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Nearly 70% said they do not believe current negotiations will lead to lasting peace, while 57% believe Russia would attack again if a ceasefire were established along current front lines — even with security guarantees from allies.
Even if guarantees were provided, 40% believe the United States would not offer support in the event of renewed Russian aggression, while 39% believe it would.
Russia has shown little public interest in softening its demands and has made few comments on the 20-point peace framework that Ukraine and the United States are attempting to finalize.
Instead, Russia has intensified air strikes, severely damaging already crippled energy infrastructure and leaving millions without electricity and heating amid freezing temperatures.
