A majority of Europeans believe in a Ukraine victory
One year into the war in Ukraine, 61% of Europeans believe that the country will prevail. Germans, however, are not quite so optimistic, although a 55% majority believes in a Ukrainian victory. These are the findings of the EU-wide survey conducted by eupinions. It is published in cooperation with the Belgian King Baudouin Foundation.
Europeans are not only betting on victory, 68% also see the war of aggression as a matter affecting them all, because it is an attack on the whole of Europe. Most EU citizens polled also see Ukraine in a battle to defend a set of common values that are shared by all European states.
“This unity is an important signal,” says Isabell Hoffmann, Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung and head of eupinions. “Common values are a cornerstone of the support provided to Ukraine by the EU and its member states. The longer this war drags on, the more important it is for Ukrainians to know that the majority of EU citizens acknowledge their achievements.”
A total of 62% of Europeans agree with the statement that Ukrainians are also fighting for Europe’s freedom and prosperity.
The greatest differences are revealed in the question of the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia. While 40% of respondents consider sanctions to be an effective instrument, the same number consider them ineffective, and around 20% are undecided.
There is, however, a consensus on the question of who is to blame for the war: Here, too, 66% say that Russia bears responsibility for the war.
Also 66% express a sense of unease, stating that the world today is a dangerous place and that it used to be a much better place.
“The level of anxiety is exceptionally high right now. Given the brutality of the war, the toll it’s taking, and the overall level of threat, this is not surprising. What’s really remarkable, however, is that the most anxious are just as supportive of Ukraine as are EU citizens as a whole,” explains Hoffmann.
For more information, please visit: www.eupinions.eu
Keywords
Contacts
Isabell Hoffmann, head of eupinions and co-author
Phone: +49 30 27 57 88 126
Email: isabell.hoffmann@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
Links
About Bertelsmann Stiftung
About the Bertelsmann Stiftung: Inspiring people. Shaping the future. The Bertelsmann Stiftung is committed to enabling social participation for everyone – politically, economically and culturally. Our programs include Education and the Next Generation, Democracy and Social Cohesion, Digitalization and the Common Good, Europe’s Future, Health, and Sustainable Social Market Economies. In our work, we focus on people, since only they can change the world and make it better. We share knowledge, promote expertise and develop solutions. A nonprofit foundation, the Bertelsmann Stiftung was established in 1977 by Reinhard Mohn. For more information, please visit: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
Subscribe to releases from Bertelsmann Stiftung
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Bertelsmann Stiftung by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Bertelsmann Stiftung
How to halt democracy erosion19.3.2024 09:00:00 EET | Press release
The quality of democracy in developing and transformation countries has been in steady decline over the past 20 years. The latest findings of the Transformation Index of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, now in its tenth edition, show that out of 137 countries surveyed, only 63 remain democracies, while a majority are classified as autocracies. However, there is reason for hope. The examples of the transformation countries Brazil and Poland, where voters have rebuffed authoritarian trends, show the potential for reversing democratic erosion.
Majority of German youths see good opportunities in apprenticeship market30.8.2023 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
The mood on the German apprenticeship market has improved appreciably. However, many young people with low school qualifications see their chances of securing an apprenticeship as poor. It remains to be seen whether the apprenticeship guarantee passed recently by the German federal government will be able to help.
Europeans demand resolute action to counter internet disinformation10.8.2023 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
More than half the EU population doubts the veracity of information on the web. Recognizing fake content and actively countering it comes more easily to those who are young and educated. Almost nine out of every 10 Europeans believe that tech companies, as well as government, should be held responsible.
Corruption jeopardizes implementation of sustainable policies in OECD and EU countries31.1.2023 12:00:00 EET | Press release
Recent findings from the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI) show 14 out of 41 OECD and EU countries faltering at corruption prevention. UK ranks 14th in the overall ranking on corruption prevention.
Few German businesses recruiting staff abroad, despite skills shortage8.12.2022 09:15:34 EET | Press release
Staff bottlenecks in the German economy are on the increase. Staff with vocational training in particular are desperately being sought. Nevertheless, fewer than 20 per cent of companies are employing skilled personnel from abroad. The obstacles to im-migration from non-EU countries are still too high.