50% of Ukrainians believe in normalization of relations with Russia, but without Putin and with the Crimea - survey

Almost 50% of surveyed Ukrainians believe that the normalization of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Russia is possible in the distant future, as shows the survey conducted by the fund Democratic Initiatives and the Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Studies named after O.Razumkov.

On the question whether the normalization of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Russia is possible, 49% believe that it is possible, but in the distant future; 24% said that in general it is not possible; 10% believe it is possible in the near future. 17% found it difficult to answer.

At the same time, 47% of surveyed Ukrainians believe that the normalization of relations is possible after the replacement of the president of the Russian Federation, 43.1% think so only after the fighting cease and the de-occupation of Donbass, and 31.4% believe it is possible under the condition of the return of the Crimea annexed by Russia.

In addition, 35% of the respondents support the maximum restriction of any cooperation, the preservation of sanctions and the introduction of a visa regime with Russia. At the same time, 28% of Ukrainians support the option of limited cooperation in critical areas and issues, maintaining contacts and bilateral dialogue, but at the same time defining the "red lines" for which no compromises are possible. And 15% of the respondents are ready to justify the search for any compromises with Russia with a view to an early settlement of the conflict and a return to friendly partnership relations.

The survey was conducted from December 16 to 20, 2016 in all regions of Ukraine, except for the annexed Crimea and the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. 2 018 respondents over 18 years of age were interviewed. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%.