Where do ordinary people in Russia’s neighbouring countries see their geopolitical belonging—towards Russia or the West? And how has these attitudes been shaped by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022? Building on a unique set of nationally representative surveys conducted in 2019/2020 and then in 2024, the talk will provide an overview of shifts in geopolitical attitudes in several countries in Russia’s so-called ‘near abroad’, including Ukraine. It will zoom in on Ukraine, focusing on how the war and experiences of violence have shaped not only on people’s geopolitical attitudes but also their views on democracy at home. It will also discuss people’s views on negotiations and territorial compromises.