In March 2026, Ukrainians’ attitudes toward Latvia were characterized by a high level of positive perception and a low proportion of negative assessments. According to the results of a survey conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club information and analytical center, a total of 71.6% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward this country, which is only slightly less than in August 2025 (72.7%). At the same time, the share of negative assessments has more than halved—from 5.3% to 2.6%—indicating a further strengthening of the overall positive perception.
The breakdown of responses shows a clear dominance of positive assessments. The share of those who have a completely positive attitude toward Latvia stands at 42.4%, while another 29.1% selected the “mostly positive” option. Thus, it is the category of unconditionally positive perception that forms the foundation of the country’s image in Ukrainian society. A neutral attitude was reported by 24.5% of respondents, which is a relatively low figure for international studies of this type.
Negative assessments remain marginal. Only 1.6% of respondents expressed a mostly negative attitude, and another 0.9%—a completely negative one. At the same time, the share of those who could not decide on an answer is 1.4%, which also confirms the established and stable nature of public opinion regarding Latvia.
The dynamics of change over the past six months reveal an interesting trend. A slight decrease in the share of positive responses is accompanied by an even more significant reduction in negative assessments. This means that a portion of respondents who previously held a critical stance have shifted to either a neutral or positive stance, which generally improves the overall balance of perceptions of the country.
Compared to other European Union member states, Latvia remains among the countries with the highest levels of trust and favorability among Ukrainians. This result can be explained by a combination of political support for Ukraine, an active stance in international organizations, and clear communication at the level of state policy.
At the same time, a relatively significant share of neutral responses (24.5%) indicates that there remains potential for further strengthening the country’s image. For some Ukrainians, Latvia is not yet a country with a sufficiently deep informational or economic presence, which opens opportunities for strengthening contacts in the spheres of business, culture, and humanitarian cooperation.
“Ukrainians generally distinguish very well between countries that demonstrate consistent support for Ukraine. At the same time, the level of positive attitude is shaped not only by political statements but also by concrete actions that people can feel. That is why even small countries can have a very strong positive image,” noted Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the research company Active Group.
Thus, the survey results confirm that Latvia has established itself in Ukrainian public perception as a reliable and friendly partner. A high level of positive sentiment with minimal negativity creates favorable conditions for the further development of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of the economy, security, and humanitarian cooperation.
According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center based on data from the State Customs Service, Latvia ranks 35th in total trade volume of goods with Ukraine, with a figure of $522.7 million. At the same time, Ukraine has a positive bilateral trade balance, as exports of Ukrainian goods exceed imports from Latvia.
The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine press center; the video can be viewed on the agency’s YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the Experts Club analytical center’s website.
ACTIVE GROUP, EXPERTS CLUB, LATVIA, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, SURVEY, UKRAINE, URAKIN
