Majority of Ukrainians support continuing hostilities even with reduced Western aid

The survey, conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 9, found that 87% of Ukrainians believe that with proper help from the West, the country can defeat Russia.

An absolute majority in all Ukrainian oblasts believes that with proper Western support, Ukraine can defeat Russia, with 79% in the east and 85% in the south holding this position.

However, every third respondent (32%) believes that it is better to agree to a ceasefire under the condition of serious security guarantees from the West, even if the liberation of the occupied territories takes an indefinite period of time to achieve. The remaining 10% were undecided.

There are regional differences egarding what to do if Western aid is reduced. In western and central Ukraine, more respondents (64% and 65%) support continuing hostilities, while a quarter expressed support for a ceasefire.

Opinions were divided roughly in half in the south and east, with only a slight plurality in favor of continuing hostilities. In the south — 46%, and in the east, 47% — believe that even with limited Western assistance, hostilities should continue. Meanwhile, 40% and 42% are ready to end hostilities respectively.

The $106 billion bill for funding assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan failed to pass a procedural vote in the U.S. Senate on Dec. 6 due to Republican demands for a stricter immigration policy.

Ahead of the vote, President Biden urged Congress to promptly approve the aid package for Ukraine to prevent the need for U.S. troops to engage directly in combat against the Russians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Dec. 11 to meet President Biden and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell have invited Zelenskyy to speak before the Senate on Dec. 12.