What Ukrainians think about elections in Donbas and further fate of “D/LNR”

Almost 25% of Ukrainians believe that elections in occupied Donbas can be held several years after Ukraine establish full control over the territory.

The nationwide study was conducted by the Foundation for Democratic Initiatives. Ilko Kucheriva along with the Kyiv International Institute.

Citizens of Ukraine were asked the question: “What do they think about the prospect of holding local elections in the occupied part of Donbas?”

Some 24.5% of respondents believe that elections can be held several years after Ukraine establish full control over these territories as the final stage of reintegration processes, and 21.4% believe that elections in these territories can be held only when Russian troops withdrawn from the territory and militants will be disarmed.

Another 20.2% of respondents believe that local elections should be held as soon as possible, without any preconditions, as the beginning of the peace process, and 12% believe that no elections needed and these territories should be abandoned (let them be).

Another 22% found it difficult to answer.

Also, Ukrainians were asked about the political future of the “DPR” and “LPR” territories.

Some 62% of respondents said that these territories should be returned to Ukraine under the same conditions as before. 12.2% respondents believe territories to return to Ukraine, but receive more independence from Kyiv. 10.1% respondents said these territories will get autonomy within Ukraine, 2.4% – so that these territories become independent states, and 1.5% – these territories enter the Russian Federation, another 11.9% found it difficult to answer.