**Ukrainians Favor NATO Membership**
Most Ukrainians, 70.3%, are in favor of their country joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This is according to a survey by the Kyiv-based New Europe Center.
The survey suggests that Ukraine’s entry into NATO could be similar to West Germany‘s membership in the 1950s. In this scenario, the entire Ukraine would join the alliance, but only after the liberation of occupied territories. The defensive “umbrella” of NATO would then extend to these areas.
**Security Concerns**
Talks about a possible post-war security structure are becoming more important. US President-elect Donald Trump has shown reluctance to support Ukraine long-term and wants both sides to negotiate. Russia currently holds the upper hand on the battlefield, making military liberation of occupied territories seem unlikely in the near future.
As a result, NATO accession pathways like West Germany’s are gaining traction in the West and Kyiv. Most Ukrainians remain distrustful of Russia and do not want to make concessions without security guarantees from the West.
**Poll Results**
The New Europe Center’s survey shows that:
* 64.1% of Ukrainians believe talks with Russia are pointless without Western security guarantees.
* 30% favor negotiations without preconditions, but this is a decrease compared to last year.
* 31.3% consider developing nuclear weapons the most effective security guarantee.
* Only 6.4% trust the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine.
**Government Rhetoric**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently changed his stance on NATO membership and the restoration of territorial integrity. He now suggests that some regions, like Crimea, might have to be liberated through diplomacy rather than military force.
**Recent Developments**
There were recent attacks by Russia against Ukrainian civilians and troops. An attack in the town of Zlatopil injured eight people. The Russian military has also been sabotaging their own boats and equipment on the southern front.
The US and European customers will soon be limited from purchasing vital drone components from Chinese manufacturers due to a broader export ban.
A new round of sanctions was imposed, targeting individuals involved in illicit gold trade with Russia.