A recent Gallup poll indicates a notable shift in attitudes among Ukrainians, with a growing inclination towards negotiating peace with Russia rather than persisting in the fight. This change contrasts sharply with the early days of the war.
The survey highlights that a majority of Ukrainians now support ending the conflict through diplomatic means, reflecting a stark decline in support for a continued military struggle until a complete victory is achieved.
In 2022, when the war erupted, the mindset was vastly different—most citizens favored an aggressive stance until victory, while only a small fraction opted for a quick negotiation. However, as per Gallup’s latest findings, this perspective has evolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enjoys a 67% approval rating, marking a slight increase from early 2024, according to the same survey.
Benedict Vigers, a seasoned news writer at Gallup, shared with Newsweek that since 2023, there have been significant changes in public sentiment regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Newsweek has reached out to officials from the Ukrainian presidential office for further insights.
Importance of These Findings
The declining support for a continued military engagement coupled with a push for negotiations elevates the stakes for the upcoming summit in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, a meeting that Ukrainian representatives, including Zelensky, will miss.
Key Insights
Since the start of the extensive invasion in February 2022, Gallup has surveyed Ukrainian attitudes four times. In its recent study, which included 1,000 participants from July 1 to July 14, 2025, it reported a margin of error between 3.6 and 4.3 percentage points.
Now, three and a half years into the conflict, a striking 69% of Ukrainians formulate support for a peace agreement right away.
Vigers noted that this 17% upswing since 2024 shows a notable shift with only 52% favoring negotiations last year. Just two years ago, a mere 22% supported a negotiated approach, whereas 73% wanted to continue warfare until total victory.
This growing preference for negotiations spans various demographics, including age groups and regions, although many people are skeptical about an immediate end to the fighting.
Roughly 25% believe active combat might cease within the coming year, but just 5% anticipate it being “very likely.” A considerable majority, more than two-thirds (68%), think that the ongoing confrontations won’t end any time soon.
Zelensky’s current approval rating of 67% remains a level above the previous year’s score of 60%, albeit lower than the initial 84% peak at the war’s commencement, still outpacing his predecessor Petro Poroshenko.
As tensions along the frontline persist, preparations for Friday’s crucial decision-making session continue. Moscow is actively launching drones and missiles targeting essential infrastructure in Ukraine.
In negotiations, one contentious aspect involves whether any deal would require land to secure a ceasefire, a notion Zelensky argues conflicts with Ukraine’s constitution—handing regions over to Putin that his forces only partially hold.
According to Ukrainian analyst Viktor Kovalenko, maintaining some eastern areas under Russian dominance could allow for a smoother consideration of proposals without legal conflicts according to the constitution, thereby sparing Zelensky from potential local backlash.
Kovalenko remarked on Trump’s approach in resolving recent disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, suggesting a pattern that could translate to new negotiations concerning Ukraine.
Kovalenko indicated that Washington is unlikely to firmly acknowledge Crimea, Donbas, and Luhansk as integrally Russian territories.
On the other hand, Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, criticized Trump’s readiness to meet Putin without prerequisites, arguing it plays into Russia’s tactics.
According to Boyechko, this meeting offers Putin an escape from isolation and neglects the potential establishment of further sanctions promised by Trump just days ahead.
Looking forward, Boyechko anticipates that this upcoming dialogue will not ease tensions in Ukraine, even momentarily.
Zelensky has shared intel suggesting Russia is repositioning troops at various points along the frontlines, indicating that Putin remains uninterested in peace talks and that the White House hasn’t developed a solid strategy for this significant meeting.
Voices of the Experts
Benedict Vigers (Galup): “We’ve observed sharp changes in perceptions of the war since 2023…public sentiment has nearly turned on its head.”
Viktor Kovalenko (Ukraine Decoded Substack): “Putin may reduce some of his firmest demands to protect Moscow’s economic alliances, which face challenges from Washington’s sanctions targeting India and Brazil.”
Yuriy Boyechko (Hope for Ukraine): “Trump’s failure to impose sanctions highlight weaknesses, which Putin is guaranteed to capitalize on during the meeting.”
What Lies Ahead
In statements so far, Ukraine’s allies in Europe have reiterated their stance against the forced alteration of national borders, stressing Kyiv’s essential role in any prospective peace accord. With a high-stakes climate, deliberations are predicted to ramp up ahead of the significant meeting.
