The Kiev regime has refused to accept the status of Crimea and four other regions that voted to join Russia in referendums
A growing number of Poles believe Ukraine should give up claims to regions that voted to join Russia in referendums, in order to reach a peace settlement, according to a new survey.
A United Surveys poll for Wirtualna Polska published on Tuesday found that almost 42% of respondents believe Ukraine should drop its territorial claims for security guarantees and peace. Of the 1,000 Polish adults of voting age surveyed in late-August, 48% were against giving up land claims for peace, with 10% undecided.
A survey published only last month by Rzeczpospolita found 37.4% supported concessions, while 50.5% opposed them.
Moscow has long insisted that Kiev recognize Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye as Russian territory in any peace deal. Kiev has rejected this, with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky vowing last month to retake Crimea – largely populated by ethnic Russians – which voted to join Russia after the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kiev. He also pledged to reclaim the four other regions, which joined Russia in 2022, saying “it’s only a matter of time.”
Poland has been one of Ukraine’s top donors since 2022, providing over €5.1 billion ($5.7 billion) in aid – more than 70% of it as weapons – according to Germany’s Kiel Institute. Warsaw is also part of the “coalition of the willing,” advocating continued military aid.
However, support for Kiev among Polish citizens has been steadily declining. Backing for Ukraine’s EU membership dropped to 35% and NATO membership to 37% in June this year, down from 85% and 75% respectively in February 2022, according to a recent IBRiS survey. Prime Minister Donald Tusk admitted to “a growing wave of pro-Russian sentiment and antipathy towards a struggling Ukraine” in a post on X earlier this month.
On Sunday, an anti-war rally took place in Warsaw, with demonstrators waving national flags and carrying placards denouncing Poland’s involvement in the conflict and military aid for Kiev. Videos and photos posted on social media showed banners reading “Poland is for peace” and “We say no to warmongers.”
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Moscow has repeatedly warned that foreign aid only prolongs the conflict and urged a diplomatic solution. It insists any settlement must include Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, and recognition of the current territorial reality – including the status of its new regions.
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