UKRAINE, Jul 19 — As of May 2024, 75% of Ukrainians want to have closed borders, visa policies, and customs control on the border with Russia. After the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, 79% of Ukrainians wanted this. These are the results of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS)’s poll. 

KIIS has conducted surveys about Ukrainian perceptions of Ukraine-Russian relationships for over 15 years. In this survey, according to their press release, they’ve inquired into how Ukrainians’ perception of Russia changed since 2013 (since Euromaidan or Revolution of Dignity). 

Results of the KIIS poll show that 12% of surveyed Ukrainians want Russia and Ukraine to be friendly, and only 0.3% think they should “unite in one state.” Before Euromaidan in 2013, the majority (70%) of respondents wanted to see Ukraine and Russia as independent but friendly states, and only 15% insisted that the relationships must be the same as with other countries, with visas, customs, and closed borders. In 2013, 12% of respondents wished for countries to be “united in one state.” 

Image from KIIS' poll "How do Ukrainians see relations between Ukraine and Russia and what associations do Ukrainian have with Russia and ordinary Russians" / Photo: KIIS
Image from KIIS’ poll “How do Ukrainians see relations between Ukraine and Russia and what associations do Ukrainian have with Russia and ordinary Russians” / Photo: KIIS

After Russia occupied Crimea and invaded Ukraine in 2014, the number of those who believed the relationships between Ukraine and Russia must be the same as with other states increased (from 15% to 44%), but 48% of respondents still believed the countries must be friendly. The fraction of those who picked the “united in one” option dropped to 5%. 

Other data in the survey show that respondents speaking only Ukrainian (78%), only Russian (71%), and Ukrainian and Russian (69%) at home want closed borders. 

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