Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Despite the growing energy crisis, a big majority of Europeans “continue to stand firmly by Ukraine’s side”, according to a new survey.
It states that a broad majority supports arms deliveries and the willingness to also accept Ukraine into the EU remains high.
There is also strong support for the need for the EU to become more independent in terms of energy supply – even if this means personal cuts.
Nevertheless, the report’s authors warn that “these attitudes cannot be taken for granted, as there are initial signs that approval is crumbling.”
This is one of the findings of the new eupinions survey, the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s European public opinion tool, for which around 12,000 citizens throughout the EU are surveyed every three months.
The data is from seven selected member states and has been published in cooperation with the Belgian King Baudouin Foundation.
The findings come as the EU announced another batch of sanctions, the eighth, against Russia. Also on Thursday, MEPs called for a “massive” increase in military support to Ukraine.
The survey said that some 72 percent of Europeans are in favour of the EU becoming independent of energy supplies from Russia, even if this means rising costs.
Support is highest in Poland (80 percent) and Italy (76 percent). It is lowest in Germany, at 69 percent, whose dependence on Russian gas is particularly high.
However, the comparative figures from March 2022 show that support for energy independence tends to decline as the scale of the cuts becomes clearer. For the EU, the number of those who want to become independent of Russian energy imports has fallen by only two percent.
Isabell Hoffmann, project lead and Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, commented, “The rising cost of living crisis is already a major concern for 44 percent of Europeans. And they will feel the effects of the war even more acutely in their daily lives during the winter season.
“This will be a stress test for the strong approval that the EU’s Ukraine policy has enjoyed since the war began.”
A clear majority of 60 percent continues to support arms deliveries through the EU to Ukraine. Support is particularly strong in Poland, where 84 percent of respondents are in favour. In Belgium, the figure is 62 percent, and in Germany 61 percent. Only Italy fails to demonstrate a majority in favour of arms deliveries. 58 percent of Italians are opposed.
Hoffmann said, “In March, everyone was in shock, and the will to support Ukraine was very high. Three months later, the shock has passed, but the will to support remains high even though the negative consequences are much more evident in everyday life. This perseverance is political capital and should be nurtured.”
Europeans, says the survey,are now in favour of admitting Ukraine to the EU (66 percent EU-wide).
A look at the different countries, however, highlights significant differences: in Poland, 84 percent are in favour. In Germany and France, the figure is just 60 percent. The majorities are stable, but slightly declining everywhere.
There is broad agreement on the question of what role Europe should play in the world. A clear majority of 71 percent says Europe already plays an important role in international affairs, while an even larger majority says Europe should play an even more important role in the future.
Meanwhile, 77 percent of Europeans want the U.S. to be a strong ally at their side.
Hoffmann said, “The EU and its member states have demonstrated unity and the ability to act since Russia’s attack on Ukraine and they continue to do so. With time, it becomes increasingly important to carry the public along in terms of argumentation and communication.
“Our figures show that Europeans continue to support decisive action in support of Ukraine. Having said that, pressures are growing and with them, personal concerns. There is a risk that the desire to help and the private burdens will come into conflict with each other, and that political conflict potential will arise.”
