Ukrainians form their assessments not on the basis of economic benefits, but mainly on the basis of political statements or events

Trust in the West, skepticism toward the East: a poll showed how Ukrainians feel about other countries/Photo: Interfax-Ukraine

Key points

• Ukrainians are clearly divided in their attitudes toward other countries, giving preference to Western partners such as Germany, Great Britain, and France.
• Hungary, China, Iraq, and Serbia received the worst ratings, which indicates a paradoxical discrepancy between economic benefits and public opinion.
• Ukrainians associate the achievement of peace with the EU, the US, and the UK, while China, despite its economic partnership, is viewed predominantly negatively.

Ukrainians have a clear division in their attitudes toward countries around the world, giving preference to Western partners. This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted by Active Group and the Experts Club analytical center.

Details

According to a survey conducted at the end of August, Ukrainians have the highest level of trust in Germany, Great Britain, Norway, and France. In contrast, Hungary, China, Iraq, and Serbia were among the countries with the lowest ratings.

According to Active Group founder Andriy Yeremenko, the study covered 800 respondents, and its margin of error does not exceed 3.5%. This time, the list included 50 countries with which Ukraine has the strongest trade ties.

According to the sociologist, Ukrainians’ opinions are clearly divided: they associate the achievement of peace primarily with the European Union (42%), the US (almost 26%), and the UK (13%). At the same time, countries such as China, India, and Brazil are not considered important players in the peaceful settlement.

Active Group Director Oleksandr Pozniy added that despite China being one of Ukraine’s key economic partners, attitudes towards it are predominantly negative (40%). Germany, which is also an important partner, is viewed positively by more than 76% of Ukrainians. Hungary received the worst ratings, with 55% of respondents expressing a negative attitude.

Maksym Urakin, founder of Experts Club, drew attention to economic imbalances in Ukraine’s trade with its leading partners. The expert said:

In the first half of 2025, Ukraine’s negative foreign trade balance amounted to $18.5 billion, while in 2024 it was $12.4 billion. In other words, we have a significant deterioration. In particular, the negative balance exceeded $7 billion in trade with China alone, $2 billion with Germany, over $1 billion with Poland, and about $2 billion with the United States.

At the same time, according to the expert, sociological data show a certain paradox:

Our most profitable partners from an economic point of view are Egypt, Spain, Moldova, Algeria, Lebanon, and Iraq. But Ukrainians’ attitude towards most of these countries is neutral or even negative. This indicates that society forms its assessments not on the basis of economic benefits, but mainly on the basis of political statements or events.

Urakin concluded that this discrepancy between the economy and public opinion could have long-term consequences for Ukraine’s foreign policy.

Ukrainians want a ceasefire, but only if their partners provide reliable security guarantees. This is evidenced by the results of a survey conducted by the sociological group “Rating.” 82% of Ukrainians see an end to the war through diplomacy.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine

Active Group China Experts Club Hungary

Last modified: September 14, 2025