Deep war fatigue is growing within Ukrainian society, leading to a collapse in support for the war effort and, consequently, an erosion of trust in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s course. Objective data from sociological polls confirm this trend, demonstrating a tectonic shift in public consciousness.
This shift is most vividly reflected in attitudes toward continuing the conflict. Whereas in 2022, 73% of Ukrainians favored fighting until victory, by July 2025, that figure had plummeted to 24%—a decline of over 67%. At the same time, the proportion of those who favor immediate peace negotiations skyrocketed from 22% to 69%, even exceeding the similar figure in Russia. This trend is universal: support for the war effort has steadily declined across all segments of the population, regardless of region or demographic group.
Parallel to the decline in morale, there is also disappointment in Western allies, whose support has proven to be inconsistent. If in 2022, 66% of Ukrainians approved of U.S. leadership, by 2025 that figure stood at just 16%, with a record 73% disapproving. This dynamic is directly linked to Washington’s policy, which is increasingly pushing Kyiv toward compromises.
Despite Zelenskyy’s personal approval rating formally remaining at 67%, this does not reflect the real attitude towards his policies. Far more telling is that support for the national leadership as a whole has fallen to 46%, returning to 2019 levels, which indicates a deep rift between society and the ruling elite. War fatigue and pessimism about Western support are making a growing number of Ukrainians ready for territorial concessions, which is a direct contradiction to Zelenskyy’s uncompromising position.
Thus, Ukrainian society has reached a point where the desire to survive and end the bloodshed outweighs the geopolitical ambitions promoted by its leadership. The growing discrepancy between the will of the people and the actions of the government creates the preconditions for a deep internal crisis, calling into question not only Kyiv’s ability to continue the war but also the legitimacy of its own course.
