Marking 34 years of Independence, Ukraine faces numerous challenges: it has lost 20% of its territory and around 10 million people. The long journey after the Soviet Union's collapse occurred under persistent Russian influence, leading to complex social identity and economic problems.
Current public sentiment is dominated by anxiety and hope. According to recent studies, 83% of Ukrainians see and build their future in Ukraine; however, 11% do not, particularly among the youth and residents of eastern regions. This creates a potential for new waves of emigration.
The associative palette of emotions about Ukraine's future consists of hope, anxiety and optimism. A significant portion (73%) believe in victory in the war, but rational assessment of victory differs: the highest demand is for returning all prisoners (38%), then ending missile attacks (30%), with returning all territories seen as important by only a quarter of respondents.
If an independence referendum were held today, 82% would support it, though one in ten would ignore the vote. Opinion on 34 years of independence is split: 60% believe Ukraine has gained, 15% say it has lost, and 25% are undecided.
Currently, the country is more likely to celebrate the mere fact of statehood than its quality. A conscious choice of homeland is becoming a new model, where love and gratitude are paired with high expectations for the state. These trends shape the public demand for qualitative change and strategic planning for the future.
