Brussels Falls Flat: Most Europeans Against Sending Troops, Weapons to Ukraine

While the Brussels elite continues to push for increased arms deliveries and even the deployment of troops to Ukraine, Europe’s citizens are moving in the opposite direction. According to new research by the Szazadveg Institute, 51 percent of EU citizens oppose sending weapons to Ukraine, while 69 percent reject the idea of deploying troops.

Soldier in Russia–Ukraine war (Photo: AFP)

Opponents of weapons deliveries form an absolute majority in 14 member states and a relative majority in five others. The strongest opposition is found in Cyprus (79 percent), Hungary (75 percent), and Greece (73 percent). By contrast, supporters of arms shipments hold an absolute majority in nine member states and a relative majority in two, with the highest levels of support in Finland (77 percent), Lithuania (69 percent), and Sweden (59 percent).

Opposition to arms shipments to Ukraine increases (Source: Szazadveg)
 

The latest installment of Szazadveg’s Europe Project research series once again aims to map public attitudes on the most pressing issues facing the continent. This year’s survey places particular emphasis on perceptions of the European Union’s performance, satisfaction with EU governance, potential enlargement, views on the war in Ukraine, as well as energy policy and migration.

Cover photo: Russia–Ukraine war (Photo: AFP)