Rejection of NATO and protection of the Russian language: Ukrainians willing to make compromises for peace – results of a recent poll published

Ukrainians are ready to give up joining NATO and to lift the ban on the Russian language and culture if it means ending the war in the country.

From February 19 to March 22, 2025, the company ARRC conducted an online survey using a self-administered questionnaire.

The survey involved 1,215 respondents from all regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The gender distribution was 56% men and 44% women. The most active groups were those aged “35-44,” “45-54,” and “55-64,” while the youngest group, aged 18-24, was the least active.

The main goal of the survey was to determine the political preferences of Ukrainians, their readiness for compromises for the sake of peace, and to assess the emotional climate of society.

The majority of respondents said they are willing to forgo joining NATO (60%) and to lift the ban on the Russian language and culture (48%). Holding presidential and parliamentary elections was supported by 44%, while 39% said they were ready to make any concessions to end the war. Only 8% supported territorial concessions within administrative boundaries, and 4% chose no concessions at all. The general mood of society was described with emotions such as fatigue (48%), disappointment (40%), and anxiety (31%). Only 1% of respondents said they felt joy.

Additionally, in May 2025, the Ukrainian Institute of Politics conducted another survey (results of which were not published). According to the survey, the largest group of participants (over 40%) said they were “against all” political forces.

Results of the additional survey of 1,215 citizens also confirm the high level of readiness in society for compromises to achieve peace. Among them:

• Willingness to forgo joining NATO — 60%

• Willingness to lift the ban on the Russian language and culture — 48%

• Holding presidential and parliamentary elections — 44%

• Willingness to forgo joining the EU — 39%

• Willingness to make any concessions for peace — 39%

• Refusal of mobilization — 37%

• Restoration of the UOC — 37%

• Territorial concessions along the line of contact — 33%

• Demilitarization — 17%

• Refusal of military assistance — 16%

• Refusal of strikes on infrastructure — 14%

• Territorial concessions within administrative borders — 8%

• No concessions at all — 4%

Thus, the surveys show a high level of fatigue and readiness among Ukrainians to make compromises in order to achieve peace in the country.