Ukrainian society has mixed feelings about the country’s future. According to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on 2-6 February 2025, almost half of respondents (46%) believe that events in Ukraine are heading in the wrong direction.
At the same time, 38% of respondents believe that the country is moving in the right direction despite the difficult circumstances.
How the mood of Ukrainians has changed since the beginning of the war
By comparison, in February 2022, at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, public optimism was much higher: 68% of citizens believed that the direction of the country’s development was right, while only 16% thought it was wrong.
However, over time, these indicators have gradually changed. The KIIS notes that the level of positive perception of the country’s course has been gradually decreasing, while pessimistic assessments have been increasing. April 2024 was an exception, as there was a slight improvement in sentiment after the US approved a new aid package for Ukraine, which had been delayed by political debates in Washington.
How the study was conducted
The survey was conducted by telephone interviews (CATI) using a random sample of mobile numbers. A total of 1,000 respondents aged 18 and older living in the government-controlled areas of Ukraine were interviewed.
Statistical error:
- up to 4.1% – for indicators close to 50%
- up to 3.5% – for indicators close to 25%
- up to 2.5% – for indicators close to 10%
- up to 1.8% – for indicators close to 5%
However, the KIIS notes that some systematic deviation is possible in times of war, although the results remain representative and give an accurate picture of public sentiment.
The study shows that Ukrainians do not lose faith in the future, but at the same time, more and more citizens are expressing concern about the direction of the country’s development. Political and economic decisions in 2025 could have a significant impact on public sentiment.
