International

Study: Public Support for Ukraine May Be Weakening in Some European Nations

A new study by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) reveals shifting public attitudes towards continued support for Ukraine's war effort across eight European Union nations.

The study indicates a clear preference for supporting Ukraine's military efforts to reclaim territories in Poland, Portugal, and Sweden. However, in Austria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Romania, there's a marked preference for encouraging Kyiv to pursue a negotiated settlement. Public opinion in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain remains divided on this issue.

The ECFR poll suggests a potential change in the geographical distribution of support for Ukraine. While Ukraine's closest neighbours were previously considered among its strongest supporters, the current findings show the strongest public support in distant Portugal and France. Meanwhile, there are signs of wavering solidarity in neighbouring countries.

Hungary, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his closer ties to Russia, has maintained a distinct position for the past two years. It has the largest percentage of citizens within the surveyed countries who anticipate a Russian victory (31%) and who favour pressuring Ukraine to accept a compromise (64%). Romania exhibits similar trends, with 18% of Romanians believing in a Russian victory and 50% supporting efforts to push Ukraine towards a compromise.

The highest proportion of individuals who perceive Ukrainian migrants as a threat is found in Poland (40%), Hungary (37%), and Romania (35%).

The report concludes with a concerning observation: there is a rising sense of pessimism in Europe regarding the outcome of the Ukraine conflict, accompanied by increasing public fatigue across EU nations.

Author Dan Alexe

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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