No Land to Give: Wartime Narratives and the Symbolic Value of Territory

Why do individuals affected by war often reject territorial concessions, even when such compromises might end violence? This article investigates the emotional and psychological mechanisms behind public opposition to “land for peace” agreements, focusing on Ukraine during its war with Russia. Drawing on original survey data from 287 Ukrainians, the study examines how nationalism and group-based moral framings augment the symbolic value of national territory. The findings demonstrate that rejection of territorial concessions correlates with heightened national attachment, perceptions of collective victimhood, and moral othering of the outgroup. In contrast, the few respondents open to compromise displayed lower national pride, more ambivalent war narratives, and a more differentiated view of suffering and blame. These results support theories of the symbolic indivisibility of territory during war and extend them by uncovering their socio-psychological foundations. The article contributes to IR debates on the micro-foundations of wartime public opinion, emphasizing how individual narratives construct emotional boundaries to peace.