Kathrine Frich
European public opinion remains conflicted.
A new cross-country survey suggests both fatigue with the war and deep mistrust about how any peace might hold.
The findings point to sharp divisions over military support, negotiations and the role of the United States, as fears of renewed conflict continue to shape views across the continent.
Polling the mood
According to the latest YouGov European Political Monthly, attitudes were measured in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland, with comparative data from the UK.
The survey assessed views on proposed peace terms put forward by Donald Trump and by Britain, France and Germany.
The most popular proposal was also the least realistic: that Russia should pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Net approval ranged from +43 to +67 in every country surveyed, YouGov reported.
Another broadly acceptable condition was allowing Ukraine to seek EU membership, alongside temporary preferential access to European markets.
This idea appeared in both US and European plans and received positive ratings across all countries.
Red lines remain
Other proposed terms were rejected almost universally.
These included barring Ukraine from NATO, readmitting Russia to the G8, capping Ukraine’s army at 600,000 troops, granting amnesty to all parties and allowing Russia to retain occupied territory.
British respondents were generally the most opposed, YouGov found.
Germans stood out for their strong rejection of amnesty for war crimes, with a net score of -53, compared with far lower opposition elsewhere.
Italians were consistently more open than other Europeans to compromise on these issues, the survey showed.
Backing Ukraine
Support for Ukraine’s victory remains high in parts of Europe.
Around 70% of people in the UK, 66% in Spain and 65% in Poland said they want Ukraine to win and care strongly about the outcome, according to YouGov.
That figure fell to 54% in Germany, 40% in France and just 33% in Italy.
Only in the UK did more people favour backing Ukraine until it defeats Russia rather than pushing for negotiations even if Moscow keeps territory.
Distrust of Trump
Europeans largely believe Donald Trump favours Russia.
Between 48% and 52% of respondents in the UK, France, Italy and Spain said they think the US president wants Russia to win, YouGov reported.
In Poland, 37% shared that view.
Several respondents in every country said Trump has no preference than said he wants Ukraine to win.
Fear of repeat war
Despite interest in peace, many doubt Russia would respect an agreement.
Between 45% and 72% of respondents believed Moscow would invade Ukraine again within a decade.
Opinion was split on sending European peacekeepers and on whether the US would honour NATO’s Article 5 obligations, with British respondents the most sceptical of Washington’s reliability.
Sources: YouGov, Digi24
