PNN – The results of a survey show that for the first time since the beginning of the Russian war, most Ukrainians are pessimistic about the future and feel that the West has betrayed them.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, quoted by the Swiss newspaper “Tags Anseiger”, the results of a survey show that as the war in Ukraine drags on, a change in mood can be seen among the Ukrainian population, with only 44 percent of the population thinking that things are progressing in a positive direction. This is the lowest number the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) has measured since Russia launched its major offensive two years ago. In May 2022, 68% were still optimistic, and at the end of 2023, 54% expressed optimism about this.
Now, for the first time, more Ukrainians rate developments as negative (46%) than positive (44%), and 10% say they cannot decide. The survey surveyed more than 1,200 people living in territory controlled by Ukraine. This study is considered representative and data was collected from February 5 to 10.
KIIS director Anton Hrushetsky writes that this era was a “hot phase” because Volodymyr Zelensky appointed a new commander-in-chief during this period, so it’s only a matter of time before we can tell what kind of attitude will definitely prevail among the Ukrainian population.
According to him, the fact that self-confidence is decreasing is not surprising considering the current war of attrition.
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It can be assumed that the dismissal of the former Commander-in-Chief Valery Salushnyi had an effect on the results of this poll, the former head of the army still enjoys the most trust among the Ukrainian people, with 94% of his support. His approval rating has remained flat since December, while Ukrainian President Zelensky lost the most support, falling from 77 percent to 64 percent. According to this, only two out of five Ukrainians trust the new Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirsky, although almost as many Ukrainians do not know him.
KIIS director Hrushetsky said in December that ultimately, a determining factor in how Ukrainians stand is Western support. The fact that these supports have been suspended for months has had a negative psychological impact. It is sad and painful for Ukrainians to hear this pitiful statement “we stand by Ukraine” and at the same time they do not receive enough help, more and more Ukrainians always consider this as hypocrisy and betrayal of the so-called (western) friends.
The difficult situation of the war is also likely to unsettle many Ukrainians, Hrushetsky said. Russia is slowly but steadily advancing on the front.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to build trust. He said: We must win. Security comes only through power.
The fact that many Ukrainians are pessimistic does not mean that their will to persevere has been broken, he said in a video speech last Wednesday.
In December, he said, an overwhelming majority (87 percent) said they could defeat Russia if the West provided enough aid in terms of weapons, finance and sanctions.