What happened
A growing number of Ukrainians are calling for a compromise peace as the war with Russia worsens, with 61% supporting a peace deal with territorial compromises. The situation on the ground has led to exhaustion and frustration among Ukrainians, with many feeling that the constant preaching about "resilience" is not enough to justify the ongoing suffering.
The war has taken a significant toll on Ukraine, with escalating Russian strikes and a looming humanitarian disaster. The country's economy is also struggling, with corruption scandals and a rapidly deteriorating fiscal situation. Despite this, President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised "revenge" after every attack, which has led to a counterescalation by Moscow.
Many Ukrainians are now challenging Zelensky's understanding of what "victory" means, with some arguing that a realistic peace is the only way out of the war. The mood in Ukraine has shifted significantly since 2022, when the goal was to reclaim all lost territory. Now, many Ukrainians are willing to accept territorial compromises in order to bring an end to the war.
The international community has also been criticized for pouring aid into a war of attrition, which has not given Ukrainians real protection or put the economy on a firm footing. With Russia capable of spending lives and resources for as long as it takes, Ukraine has reached the point where accepting a bad peace may be the only way to survive as an independent country.
