Russians See War Ending in 2026 as Zelenskyy Proposes Major Donbas Pullback

While Moscow grows optimistic about an end to the war, Kyiv is putting a painful withdrawal on the table. A new survey shows a majority of Russians expect the war in Ukraine to end in 2026, but a fresh peace proposal from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy involving a mutual troop pullback in the eastern Donbas region reveals just how far apart the two sides remain.

Moscow's Rising Optimism

VTsIOM, Russia's leading state-owned public opinion research center, said on Wednesday that its annual survey found Russians are viewing 2026 with “growing optimism.” According to the poll of 1,600 people, 70% viewed the coming year as being more “successful” for Russia, with 55% of respondents linking that hope to a possible end to the “special military operation” in Ukraine.

A VTsIOM official pointed to Russia's recent battlefield advances, Washington's reluctance to continue financing the war, and the European Union's inability to fully replace the US role as key factors. However, the true level of public fatigue is difficult to measure due to strict state media controls. According to independent pollster Levada, approximately two-thirds of Russians support peace talks—the highest number since the war began in 2022.

Zelenskyy's Gambit: A Demilitarized Donbas

In contrast, President Zelenskyy said he would be willing to withdraw troops from Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland as part of a peace plan. The proposal, part of a 20-point plan worked out with the US, is conditional on Moscow also pulling back its forces and allowing the area to become a demilitarized zone monitored by international forces. A similar arrangement could be possible for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control.

Russia, however, has given no indication it will agree to withdraw from any land it has seized. Moscow has long insisted that Kyiv must cede the remaining territory it holds in the Donbas before any talks can begin. Zelenskyy himself acknowledged that the future control of the Donbas was “the most difficult point” and would require discussions at the leaders’ level.