Rating Group conducted a survey from August 4–9, 2026, on Ukrainians' attitudes toward some world leaders and countries.

Attitudes Toward Certain Leaders

Among the world leaders presented, respondents rate French President Emmanuel Macron most positively (79%), followed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (64%) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (61%).

• Polish PM Donald Tusk – 45% positive, 35% negative.
• UK PM Andy Burnham – 45% positive, 7% negative; 35% are unfamiliar with him.
• Hungarian PM Péter Magyar – 33% positive, 34% negative; 20% are unaware of him.
• Polish President Karol Nawrocki – 20% positive, 62% negative.
• US President Donald Trump – 16% positive, 77% negative.
• The most negative ratings go to Vladimir Putin (97% negative) and Alexander Lukashenko (90% negative).

Positive sentiment toward Macron and Erdoğan has grown since 2024. Merz is viewed more favorably than his predecessors as German chancellor. Nawrocki's ratings are markedly worse than those of his predecessor, Andrzej Duda, while Magyar significantly outperforms his predecessor, Viktor Orbán.

Perceptions of Countries' Stances Toward Ukraine

• France – 81%, including 27% "definitely friendly"; Great Britain – 80%, including 40% "definitely friendly".
• Lithuania – 77%, Germany – 77%, Moldova – 68%.
• Romania – 56%, the US – 54%, Poland – 50% (21% consider Poland's stance hostile).
• Turkey – 48% friendly, 41% neutral.
• Hungary – 23% friendly, 36% neutral, 35% hostile.

The most hostile perceptions are of Russia (97% negative), Belarus (83% negative) and China (53% consider its stance hostile).

Attitudes Toward Residents of Neighboring Countries

Most Ukrainians feel warmth or neutrality toward residents of neighboring countries; the exceptions are Russian and Belarusian citizens, toward whom attitudes have grown colder since 2022.

• Warmest reception: Moldovans – 55% warm, 39% neutral; Turks – 45% warm, 48% neutral; Bulgarians – 43% warm, 48% neutral.
• Coldest reception: Russians – 91% cold; Belarusians – 70% cold.

Since 2022, the share of Ukrainians who feel very cold toward Russians has grown from 56% to 81%.

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Rating Group is one of Ukraine's largest research institutions, operating since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience conducting sociological surveys in Ukraine and abroad. The group includes the Rating Sociological Group, the Rating Lab research laboratory, the Rating Online platform, and the Rating CATI Center.