According to a new poll cited by Reuters, the vast majority of Ukrainians oppose a negotiated peace with Russia if it includes any territorial concessions to Moscow.

A poll conducted by the International Institute of Sociology in Kyiv shows that no less than 87% of Ukrainians oppose giving up territory to Russia for a peace agreement, even if it means continuing the war.

The survey also shows that this situation is observed in all regions of Ukraine, including a significant Russian-speaking population, and that the percentage is increasing, reaching only 82% in May.

The survey, conducted from September 7 to 13, based on a sample of 2,000 people, coincided with a Ukrainian counteroffensive that led to the recapture of Kharkiv Oblast in the country’s northeast, boosting Ukrainian morale and giving them hope that more territory could be released before winter.

Even the ethnic Russians in Ukraine do not want to give their territory to Vladimir Putin

But despite these recent gains, Russia’s armed forces still control about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory.

According to a survey published on Thursday, 57% of ethnic Russians in Ukraine and 85% of Russian-speaking Ukrainians are against granting territorial concessions to Moscow. Only 24% of ethnic Russians living in Ukraine support the return of territories for the conclusion of a peace treaty.

The figures are in stark contrast to one of the goals announced by President Vladimir Putin when he launched a “special military operation” on February 24, which was to protect the Russian-speaking population under pressure from the government in Kyiv.