… More than one in four Ukrainians surveyed last summer before the protests (28%) said a Western-style democratic republic was the most suitable political system for their country. However, a similar percentage (29%) felt a system that has a lot of similarity to the Soviet one — but more democratic and market-based — was the most ideal. A significant one in five Ukrainians (19%) waxed nostalgic — saying the former Soviet system before “perestroika” would be best.
Ukrainians’ vision of the ideal government depends on their proximity to Europe and Russia. The majority of residents living in Western Ukraine — and geographically closest to Europe — believed a Western-style democracy is best for their country (57%), while less than one-third (30%) in Central Ukraine (which includes Kiev) felt this way. Fewer than one in six (15%) in the East — which includes Crimea — shared this belief. The Soviet-democratic blend and the old Soviet system appealed more to those in the East and Central areas than the West. CONT.
Julie Ray & Neli Esipova, Gallup