The split in popular opinion reflects divisions in the country's leadership, with pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko voicing support for Georgia, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko remaining largely neutral, and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich backing Russia's move to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.
The National Institute for Strategic Studies said 41.9% of respondents think Ukraine should support neither side in the conflict over the rebel regions, which Russia recognized as independent countries last Tuesday.
One fifth of respondents said the Ukrainian leadership should support Georgia, while 18.3% said Kiev should stand by Russia.
Some 4% of respondents said Ukraine should provide military assistance to Georgia, while 2.9% believe the country should cooperate militarily with Russia.
The poll was conducted on August 21-26, involving 2,011 respondents. The statistical margin of error was 2.3%.
During the recent conflict, Russia accused Ukraine of supplying offensive weapons to Georgia, and providing military experts to rebuild Georgia's army communications network, damaged in the five-day conflict. Kiev denied the accusations.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who shares Georgia's ambition of joining NATO, said last Wednesday that Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia constituted a threat to European security.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said recognition of the Georgian regions was necessary to protect the republics from further Georgian acts of aggression.
