According to the latest public opinion polls in Ukraine, support for talks with Russia has begun to grow after a failed counteroffensive last year. However, the majority of Ukrainians, as before, insist on continuing the struggle for the return of all occupied territories. However, as noted by The Wall Street Journal , the military remains the most categorical opponents of negotiations.
According to one recent poll, only 18% of veterans and military members support the idea of a negotiated end to the war, the lowest of any demographic group. In addition, 15% of soldiers and veterans said that they are ready for an armed protest if Kyiv signs a peace treaty that they find unacceptable.
The commander of the Third Assault Brigade, Andriy Biletsky, emphasized that, although war fatigue is accumulating in society, no "military disaster" has occurred. He believes that Ukraine is capable of regaining a significant part of its territories, and ending the war without achieving this goal would be a dangerous step.
Many in the military fear that the ceasefire will only give Russia the opportunity to re-equip its armed forces and attack Ukraine again. They also believe that all the sacrifices of the dead comrades will be in vain if Ukraine agrees to give up its territories.
Polls show that although the majority of Ukrainians do not trust possible agreements with Putin, some citizens, particularly young people, are inclined towards peace negotiations, even if this would involve certain concessions. For example, Alla Pronina from Zaporizhzhia notes that after the failed counteroffensive, she became more supportive of the idea of negotiations, even if it meant giving up the occupied territories.
Director of the Center for International Studies Volodymyr Dubovyk notes that a change in public opinion may give President Volodymyr Zelensky an opportunity to conclude a certain agreement. However, he warns that any ceasefire could cause serious political risks, as many Ukrainians would perceive such an agreement as "bad".
Many in the military feel a split between those who fight and those who live in the rear and do not pay attention to the war. The military points out that non-combatants can make decisions that go against the interests of soldiers.
Zelensky previously confirmed that Ukraine, together with its partners, is preparing a plan to end the war, which will be presented at the next peace summit. However, Russia says that it will not agree to the proposed formula, as it involves the return to Ukraine of its internationally recognized borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the negotiations should be based on a peace plan prepared in the spring of 2022, which actually involves the surrender of Ukraine. In addition, according to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica , German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is preparing a "peace plan" for Ukraine, which provides for the preservation of territories seized by Russia for the Russian Federation.
