Ukrainians on the brink of 2024-2025: how they live, celebrate, and perceive their future.

From December 19 to 24, 2024, the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Advanced Legal Initiatives" conducted a sociological study, surveying 5,000 respondents from all regions of Ukraine, excluding occupied and frontline areas. Additionally, the survey included Ukrainians living abroad in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and others, as reported by "Ukrainian News".

According to the research, the financial situation for many citizens remains quite challenging: 9.3% of respondents indicated they struggle to afford even basic food. Nearly 42% reported that they have enough funds only for groceries, while household expenses pose a significant issue. Another 37% of respondents have sufficient money for food and household expenses but cannot make large purchases. Only 2.9% of Ukrainians stated that their financial condition allows them to live without restrictions.

Despite the difficulties, traditions remain important to people. When asked about their plans for celebrating Christmas, nearly 51% of respondents stated they intend to celebrate on December 25, while 19% chose January 7. Interestingly, almost 18% of those surveyed decided to celebrate both dates, reflecting the desire of Ukrainians to find a balance between traditional and modern approaches to celebrations.

Nonetheless, the overall assessment of the situation in the country is quite critical. Over 89% of respondents believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction, with only 5.6% viewing this trajectory as more positive than negative. Merely 2% of respondents feel that the situation in Ukraine is moving in an entirely correct direction. This indicates deep concern among citizens regarding Ukraine's future.

In the context of the war, sentiments also remain mixed. 40.3% of respondents are supportive of the possibility of deploying foreign peacekeepers if hostilities cease, while 27.2% do not believe such a development is likely. Nearly 11% express a negative attitude towards the idea of introducing foreign peacekeepers. Regarding the future course of events, the majority of respondents in Ukraine, specifically 73.4%, believe that Ukraine should pursue peace negotiations, even if this requires compromises. However, almost 26.6% advocate for continuing the war until the borders of 1991 are fully restored. The format for ending the war elicits varied opinions: only 8.8% of respondents believe in peace through a complete victory for Ukraine with the return of territories and joining NATO and the EU, while 33.4% are willing to accept security guarantees from Western partners as a basis for resolving the conflict.

Ukrainians' political preferences have also undergone some changes. Currently, the leader in presidential ratings is Valeriy Zaluzhny with a support of 24.29%. In second place is Volodymyr Zelensky at 16.07%, followed by Yulia Tymoshenko, who is supported by 12.62% of respondents. Notably, both Volodymyr Zelensky and Yulia Tymoshenko have gained 5.44% and 5.55% respectively compared to a survey conducted in March 2024, while sympathy for Valeriy Zaluzhny has decreased by almost 4%.

In terms of parliamentary preferences, the so-called "Zaluzhny Party" holds the first position, which would gather nearly 15.92% of the votes. The second position is occupied by "Volodymyr Zelensky's Party" with approximately 13.98% support from respondents. "Batkivshchyna," led by Tymoshenko, is favored by 11.96% of those surveyed. Notably, 9.3% of Ukrainian respondents chose "another party," indicating their uncertainty on this matter.

The survey was conducted by the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Advanced Legal Initiatives" (ALI) in Ukraine (excluding occupied and frontline territories), as well as among Ukrainian citizens abroad due to the war (Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and other countries) from December 19 to 24, 2024. The representative sample includes 5,094 respondents aged 18 and older. "Face-to-face" and telephone interview methods were employed through a mobile application of the "IQR" system, developed by specialists at ALI in a 1:1 ratio. The margin of error for representativeness does not exceed 2%.