The research identifies two distinct groups within Ukrainian society (roughly 75% and 25%) with different expectations about the country’s future. For one group, peace is only a temporary pause before the war resumes. For the other, it is the foundation for stability and reconstruction. These perspectives reflect different emotions, priorities, and perceptions of risk.
The core divide
- One group is convinced that Russia will violate any peace agreement and that the war will eventually continue.
- The other group sees a peace agreement as a reliable foundation for a stable future.
- The groups also differ in their priorities, attitudes toward leaving the country, and perceptions of coexistence with Russia.
What this means
Ukrainian society currently operates through two parallel outlooks: one centered on constant threat and preparation, the other on a window of opportunity and rebuilding. Neither perspective should be viewed as inherently right or wrong, but both need to be acknowledged in order to avoid deepening social divisions.
What should be taken into account
Government and media communications should address both groups without dismissing or undermining either perspective.
