Russian affairs expert, formerly a Ukrainian diplomat, cautions Trump against potential blunder in dealings with Putin in the context of the 1990s nuclear agreement.
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainians are reacting with growing pessimism and frustration. A significant majority now favor ending the war through negotiations, according to recent polls.
The shift in public opinion is stark. In 2022, most Ukrainians supported fighting until victory. However, a survey conducted in 2025 shows that 69% of Ukrainians now support a negotiated peace as soon as possible, compared to only 24% who want to continue the fight.
This shift in sentiment reflects a desire for an end to the conflict, which has taken a heavy toll on the Ukrainian people. The war, which began in 2014, has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
The change in public opinion also comes as President Donald Trump's approach to the conflict is contentious. While direct data on Ukrainians' reaction to Trump specifically is limited, there is clear evidence of declining approval of U.S. leadership in Ukraine. In 2025, only 16% of Ukrainians approve of U.S. leadership, a significant drop from 66% in 2022.
In the United States, opinions on Trump's handling of the Russia-Ukraine war are divided along partisan lines. About 42% of Americans approve of Trump's approach, with 80% of Republicans approving, while only 8% of Democrats do. Trump's meetings with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and proposals for peace that imply territorial concessions for Ukraine are controversial and have contributed to the complex views surrounding his policy.
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Lesia Vasylenko has expressed concern about the lack of clarity regarding what allies have in mind for Ukraine's security. She questioned who will back Ukraine if Russia decides to revisit its imperialistic plans and restart the war of aggression.
Vasylenko's concerns are shared by many Ukrainians, who fear that Vladimir Putin is showing no sign of wanting to end the war. Yuri Kostenko, a veteran Ukrainian diplomat, expressed similar concerns, stating that the world might trust Putin's promises to stop the killing, as suggested by Trump.
Trump's proposal that Ukraine surrender territory has received a lukewarm reaction from Ukrainians. The Ukrainian people are not encouraged by what they are hearing about the diplomatic progress and fear that Trump is leading allies down a blind alley of fruitless diplomacy.
The Budapest Memorandum of 1994, an agreement in which Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from Russia and other powers, has not been upheld by Russia. Putin reneged on Russia's side of the agreement by invading Crimea in 2014 and launching a full-scale attack three and a half years ago.
As the conflict continues, with Russia conducting hundreds of drone attacks every night and its forces advancing on the front, the Ukrainian people are left to wonder if there will ever be a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The growing pessimism and frustration among Ukrainians are a testament to the toll the conflict has taken on their lives and their hope for a better future.
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