A recent poll reveals that three-quarters of Ukrainians favor restoring the country’s nuclear arsenal as Russia’s invasion continues, reflecting a growing belief in the necessity of nuclear weapons for Ukraine’s survival.
According to the Kyiv Independent on Monday, a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) among 2,000 adults in Ukrainian-controlled territories found that 73% support nuclear rearmament, 20% oppose it, and 7% are undecided.
However, support for nuclear armament drops to 46% if it risks losing Western aid or incurring international sanctions, with opposition rising to 44%. Conversely, support increases to 58% if respondents believe Ukraine can sustain itself without Western assistance.
Ukraine relinquished its nuclear weapons in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum, receiving assurances of territorial integrity from the U.S. and UK. At the time, only a third of Ukrainians supported nuclear armament.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced frustration over the situation, noting that Ukraine gave up its nuclear deterrent only to face a full-scale war while nuclear-armed nations remain secure.
The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency has renewed discussions about nuclear redevelopment.
Trump has expressed skepticism about military aid to Ukraine and NATO expansion, which has fueled concerns among Ukrainian officials.
Anton Hrushetskyi, Executive Director of KIIS, acknowledged the growing consideration of nuclear weapons among Ukrainians. However, he hoped that effective Western security guarantees would render alternative measures unnecessary.
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