Half of Ukrainians predict a ruined country by 2035 – poll

A survey has indicated rising pessimism amid the conflict with Russia and uncertainty over US support

Nearly half of Ukrainians believe their country could be ruined and largely emptied of its population by 2035, a new poll has indicated, reflecting growing public pessimism as the conflict with Russia drags on.

The survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), reviewed by Ukrainskaya Pravda on Tuesday, found that 47% of Ukrainians now expect significant national ruin and mass emigration over the next decade. This marks a sharp decline in optimism from last year.

“In December 2024, more than 57% believed Ukraine would be prosperous in the EU in ten years. But by the end of May – beginning of June, almost half see Ukraine as ruined,” said KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetsky.

By contrast, in October 2022, only 5% foresaw national ruin, while 88% believed in future prosperity.

Sociologists partly attribute the shift to disappointment with US policy and waning confidence among Ukrainians that their own leadership can negotiate peace.

Prior to taking office in January, US President Donald Trump promised to quickly end the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, but has recently admitted it is proving more complicated than he anticipated.

Trump has described Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as “not the easiest person to deal with” and criticized Kiev for its stance in the conflict. The US president and Ukrainian leader publicly clashed during a February meeting in the Oval Office, when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for US support and “gambling with World War Three.”

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Last week, the Pentagon halted weapons deliveries to Ukraine following a decision by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who ordered a “capability review.” The Kremlin welcomed the suspension, saying it could bring the conflict closer to resolution.

However, Trump appeared to soften his stance on Monday, saying Ukraine was “getting hit very hard now” by Russian strikes. Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms supplies to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict. Moscow has said lasting peace would require Ukraine to drop its territorial claims and abandon plans to join NATO – demands Kiev has rejected.

In June, the Kiev International Institute of Sociology released survey results indicating that nearly 40% of Ukrainians are willing to accept territorial concessions to end hostilities as quickly as possible, a figure that has increased fourfold over the past two years.