The Values Index

After three decades of independence, Ukraine has developed a distinct civic and ideological profile that increasingly shapes its role in an increasingly multipolar world. Ukraine is a society with its own unique convictions about democracy, accountability, and collective responsibility. Understanding those values is essential to understanding Ukraine’s resilience during the war and its trajectory tomorrow.

This report presents new nationwide research on the priorities, beliefs, and social attitudes shaping Ukrainian society in 2025. The findings show a country whose geopolitical orientation reflects internal value formation rather than external pressure. Support for democratic institutions, rule of law, and effective governance emerges not as elite, but as genuine popular preferences that create a foundation for sustained commitment to this path regardless of short-term political changes.

Based on a representative survey of 1,233 adults across the country, it examines how Ukrainians think about democracy, security, identity, the role of the state, religion, family, and civic responsibility, and how these views are evolving under the pressures of war and long-term transformation.

Key insights

– Democracy with expectations. Ukrainians strongly support democratic governance and rule of law, but they also expect institutions to deliver real results. Legitimacy is tied to effectiveness, not rhetoric.

– Security and freedom are not seen as trade-offs. Safety, stability, and personal freedom are prioritized together, reflecting a society that wants both protection and agency, not one at the expense of the other.

– Civic patriotism is rising. National pride is closely linked to responsibility, participation, and service to the country rather than ethnic or exclusionary definitions of identity.

– Clear European direction. Support for integration with Western institutions remains broad and value-driven, grounded in beliefs about accountable government and individual rights.

– Tradition and modernity coexist. Family, faith, and social cohesion remain important, while Ukrainians also back market approaches, reform, and institutional transparency.

– Trust depends on performance. Confidence in the state and public institutions increases when they demonstrate competence, fairness, and tangible outcomes.