A majority of Russians want an immediate end to the war in Ukraine, a new bombshell poll has revealed. It comes as Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff on Tuesday to try and thrash out a peace deal.

However, the Kremlin said no major breakthrough was achieved, although the talks were described as “constructive”. European diplomats insisted that Putin was not interested in peace, as Witkoff returned to the US empty-handed. Putin remains convinced he has the upper hand in Ukraine and can attain his maximalist goals by crushing Kyiv’s army, according to many analysts.

However, Russian public opinion appears to be turning decisively against the Kremlin, as casualties continue to mount.

A poll was recently carried out for the regional Russian administrations ahead of the 2026 elections.

The result of the survey has reportedly shocked officials, as public support for Putin’s war has plummeted. The poll shows 83% of Russians feel fatigued from the war, and 56% want it to end right away, a sharp rise from the previous year.

Support for continuing hostilities has fallen to around 23%, even as the Kremlin insists publicly that national unity remains strong.

A combination of high casualties, rising inflation, collapsing wages, and a permanent war economy that diverts nearly all resources toward the military were listed as the main reasons for the growing public dissent.

New taxes have been imposed almost monthly to fill budget gaps, with the last one raising Russia’s VAT from 20% to 22% next year.

Meanwhile, Russians are increasingly speaking out against the war, despite the threat of harsh punishments.

In a furious outburst, a Russian pensioner told a TV reporter: “Putin is a maniac who came to power on blood.

“When he came to power the Kursk submarine was sinking. Foreigners offered to help him raise it, but he didn’t lift a finger.

“He came to power on blood. And he continues, he’s a pure maniac. He gets off on the idea of blood being spilled. He gets a kick out of it.”