To compromise or not to compromise – that is the main question facing many Ukrainians today, as Kyiv Post found out in its vox populi opinion survey carried out in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Nov. 26, 2025

As Washington continues to press a modified 28-point peace proposal – a plan that echoes Moscow’s maximalist demands but is now reduced to 19 points – Ukrainians face another, more difficult dilemma: If compromises are inevitable, which ones are acceptable?

Kyiv Post asked locals two main questions:

• Do you accept that Ukraine may have to make unpleasant compromises for the sake of peace?
• What would be an acceptable compromise for you, and what would you categorically reject?

For some in the military, any concession is seen as betrayal.

“As a service member currently deployed on combat orders in the Kherson region, I state that any order to retreat from these territories without fighting I will consider a criminal order and will not obey it,” wrote Yaryna Chornohuz, a Ukrainian soldier who has served since 2018.

“I call on other service members to also declare that we will not retreat from Ukrainian territories, not give up all of Kherson region, all of Donetsk region, or Zaporizhzhia for free, where we have defended for years, for the sake of political intrigues of US leaders and blatantly Russian interests,” she added.

But in Kyiv, far from the front – though still reeling from a massive Russian airstrike the night before – compromises may soon become reality, whether anyone wants them or not.

Most believe compromises are inevitable.

“I think we will have to make compromises. It is important to understand what is acceptable and what is not,” Vyacheslav, a pensioner, told Kyiv Post.

Vyacheslav, a pensioner interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

“Of course, we will have to make some compromises,” said Hlib, a student. “The European position is clear – to support Ukraine in its choice, and that is important,” he added.

“Maybe we will have to. A compromise means giving something up to reach an agreement,” said Olga, another student.

Anna, also a student, believes Moscow will be forced to compromise as well.

“There is news that concessions will be made by both Ukraine and Russia,” Anna said.

Pavlo, a laborer, was more pessimistic. Ukraine needs weapons to fight, but there are not enough now, he said.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine has nothing to fight with; there is not enough weaponry. When we have weapons, then there will be something to discuss. It is hard to talk when there is no weaponry,” Pavlo said.

Pavlo, a laborer interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

No compromises, or hopefully no compromises

Not everyone accepts the premise. Some believe Ukraine will not – or should not – compromise at all.

“I think Ukraine will not make compromises; the war will continue,” Vladyslav, a bank employee, told Kyiv Post.

Vladyslav, a bank employee interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

“We should not make any compromises when our military is fighting for our independence. We should fight to change all of the points,” said Alina, a student.

“I hope that we will not have to make compromises,” architect Ihor said simply.

Ihor, an architect interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

Energy sector worker Alina was more direct: “I hope we will not have to make unpleasant compromises. We have already sacrificed a lot and survived much. Compromises in the enemy’s favor will not stop but simply prolong the war.”

Alina, an energy worker interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

Acceptable and unacceptable compromises? Army downsizing, territorial claims, NATO bid

When it comes to specific compromises, most agreed on one thing: Neutering Ukraine’s military – rumored to involve cuts to between 600,000 and 800,000 personnel – is off the table.

Territorial concessions, however – long on the Kremlin’s agenda and previously floated by the US – proved more divisive.

“Compromise – maybe we need to stop along the current line of contact. What I would not allow is reducing the army, not joining NATO, and so on,” Vladyslav said.

“For me, all compromises are unacceptable, to be honest. If we are talking about concessions, then Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea could be considered a compromise. Reducing the army should not even be discussed,” said Yuliana.

Yuliana, a Ukrainian woman interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

Hlib drew his own red lines: “Under no circumstances should we touch the army, limit it, or create quotas for political parties, the Russian language, or national minorities.”

But on territorial concessions, he was more pragmatic. “As for the occupied territories, they can be a matter of discussion; we cannot take them back now.”

Others echoed the official position that territories cannot be ceded under the Ukrainian Constitution.

“I would never agree to territorial concessions. It is our land, our people live there – it is a taboo for me. Everything else should be handled by politicians,” said Alina.

Russian culture

The idea of enshrining the Russian language and culture in Ukrainian law – giving Moscow a symbolic victory – also drew fierce opposition from energy sector worker Alina.

“A categorical no to reducing our defense capability, our armed forces. A categorical no to attacks on our identity, language, and culture, which Russia constantly pushes for. The most difficult question is territorial, and here it is hard to answer, but we cannot concede, because it encourages the aggressor,” she said.

Student Olga took a different view, expressing faith in Ukrainians’ ability to resist Russian influence even if it returns.

“I think the return of the Russian church and Russian media will not be critical for us because we know that Ukrainians are already a mature and nationally conscious people, and will not fall for it, meaning we are strong enough to resist,” Olga said.

Long-term peace

Pavlo, a worker, offered a more philosophical take: Today’s reality is one thing, but what about tomorrow?

“There can’t be compromises here. Every six months the plan changes… Today one position, tomorrow another – today one side is winning, tomorrow losing a bit…” Pavlo told Kyiv Post.

Pensioner Vyacheslav echoed that uncertainty. As long as Ukraine survives, he said, there will be time for another round.

“First of all, the war must stop, we have no one left to fight. One way or another, it will be a temporary ceasefire, we need a breather. And after some time the circumstances will change,” Vyacheslav said.

“As history shows, all agreements are temporary and not permanent. But to save people, our statehood, to stop the war – compromise is possible, even if it is presented as ‘permanent.’ We must preserve our statehood,” he added.

Student Hlib placed his faith in leadership.

“This must be defined by our state leadership, the heads of European countries and the US. They certainly know more than I do and can formulate more precise conditions for peace that would be dignified for us,” Hlib said.

Hlib, a young specialist, interviewed by Kyiv Post near the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo by Sergii Kostezh / Kyiv Post)

For student Anna, the question defied easy answers.

“This is a very difficult question, it’s hard for me to answer,” she admitted.

In short, the interviews revealed a city united on one point – military cuts are unacceptable – but divided on nearly everything else. After years of sacrifice, the calculus of compromise remains unclear.

For now, Kyiv wrestles with an impossible question: Peace at what price?

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/65020