# Have there been any major polls in the EU about popular support for Ukraine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430 "2022-07-23T14:45:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/1 "2022-07-23T14:45:19Z")
One issue that I’m sure the Ukraine government is worrying about is: how strong is popular support for Ukraine in the EU countries? I’ve seen some articles that say the eastern “frontline” countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland) see Ukraine’s fight as their own fight for independent existence from Russia, but that support isn’t as strong the farther west one goes. Are there any detailed polls that consider the issue, country by country? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/2 "2022-07-23T18:08:02Z")
Of course. > **[Europeans support Ukraine joining the EU — but not yet](https://www.politico.eu/article/poll-show-european-back-ukraine-path-to-eu-membership/)** > > According to new polling, most respondents were sympathetic to Ukraine. I’m sure The Economist has more. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/3 "2022-07-23T18:12:00Z")
Interesting, but that’s more about joining the EU, and none of the countries polled are the “frontline” countries which have borders with Russia. I’m curious whether there is any major difference in the military support, not just in the western members of the EU, but also the eastern countries, especially as people are starting to think about the potential effects of natural gas being shut off by Putin as winter approaches. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/4 "2022-07-23T18:59:55Z")
Well, what do you mean by “popular support for Ukraine” in the EU? Economic union? Political union? NATO? Military support? Public sympathy? Willingness to accept refugees? All have likely been polled, but all have different answers as the question differs. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/5 "2022-07-23T19:01:09Z")
You might try this? > **[Which countries have pledged the most support to Ukraine?](https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/05/02/which-countries-have-pledged-the-most-support-to-ukraine)** > > By declaring war, Vladimir Putin has surrounded his country with hostile neighbours ready to reach deep in their pockets ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/6 "2022-07-23T20:44:52Z")
Or the opposite view? > **[Who are Russia’s supporters?](https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/04/04/who-are-russias-supporters)** > > The West has presented a united front against the invasion of Ukraine. But many people live in countries sympathetic to Russia ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/7 "2022-07-23T20:48:24Z")
Or this interactive graph. > **[POLITICO Matrix: How loyal are Ukraine’s Western allies?](https://www.politico.com/interactives/2022/ukraine-european-allies-matrix/)** > > We've ranked 35 countries by where they fall on Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/8 "2022-07-23T21:47:55Z")
You could also go by generation. But polls differ over time, and may differ between now and March. And government action may not align with local popular opinion (as in some Baltic and USSR regions). > **[Our polling reveals a striking generational divide on Ukraine](https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/03/29/our-polling-reveals-a-striking-generational-divide-on-ukraine)** > > Young people in America and Europe are less sympathetic towards it ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/9 "2022-07-24T18:19:41Z")
Although some of these polls may seem more relevant than others, they allow several conclusions, even given recent news. The interactive graph above considers Frontline countries specifically, but none of the polls were made yesterday and interpolation is required. Polling is inexact - it always is. - Supporting EU or NATO membership is a significant support with considerable financial costs. Supplying economic aid, military aid or permitting and caring for refugees also has significant costs and implies support. If you support EU membership of a poorer country (which will be seen as subsidizing, to various degrees) with high rebuilding costs, this implies a _very strong_ level of support. - It is normal for support to diminish if things drag on, successes are hard to define, a government is loathe to speak out for political or economic reasons, there are strong economic ties to Russia including large local Russian investment or population, costs multiply or there is less perceived historical or cultural similarity. - In general, countries closer to Russia have more reasons to fear future belligerence and are more likely to share cultural similarities with Russians and/or Ukrainians - Governments are concerned about energy needs and policies and how this will be met as well as influence popular support for Ukraine. The Germans have expressed their need for energy equipment in Canada in these terms, as you know - Popular support is influenced by exposure to news and propaganda. There may be legal or social repercussions for certain views in certain countries. Religious and cultural similarities might be very important Given this, as one moves from West to East in Europe: they are _more_ concerned about Russia’s future plans (Finland wishes to increase ties, Baltic states like Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are supportive despite strong economic ties; Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and others have stopped planned building of Russian nuclear power plants). They have been financially and militarily supportive, plus have accepted more refugees. This applies less to Belarus (whose government is more supportive of Russia than its people), and Syria, Iran, India which are more supportive of Russia - and to a lesser degree countries involved in Russian investment such as Switzerland and France. So, do you have further specific questions? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/10 "2022-07-24T18:45:09Z")
One might add: - Support in the US may have peaked, is bipartisan but a little ambivalent, and has continued due to a strategy of both parties just not to discuss the issue much. However, Biden clearly supports Ukraine - Putin has won public support in Iran and high-level Russian diplomats are currently visiting Egypt, Congo, Ethiopia and Uganda, in part to quell fears of famine due to grain distribution ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/11 "2022-07-26T18:27:04Z")
Canada for example has a very large immigrant population of Ukrainians from early 1900’s, when the prairies opened up to European settlement. Some prairie cities have large populations, Ukrainian orthodox churches, active heritage groups, are taking in refugees now, etc. Plus, we are insulated from the threat of Russian gas supply manipulation. For Ukrainians proud of their heritage (and Canadians in general) supporting Ukraine in its defensive fight gets a lot of sympathy, and even many Russians here are not expressing any support for what Putin is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/12 "2022-07-26T23:04:01Z")
Many Russians who live outside of the region do not share all of Putin’s views. Some report conflict with family in Russia and concerns about how this is perceived, and rightly so. Canadians are sympathetic to this problem, as are many people. A number of high level Canadian officials are of proud Ukrainian background. Part of the concern is about encouraging further belligerence. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/13 "2022-07-28T00:25:19Z")
@Dr_Paprika - These were very helpful - thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/14 "2022-07-28T00:47:19Z")
You are welcome. I did the best I could. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/15 "2022-07-28T00:59:56Z")
Better than me. My google-fu is weak. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-been-any-major-polls-in-the-eu-about-popular-support-for-ukraine/968430/16 "2022-07-28T01:27:10Z")
I found Google not that helpful in this instance - so searched at [economist.com](http://economist.com), [foreignaffairs.com](http://foreignaffairs.com), [politico.com](http://politico.com) and so forth. Google usually works well, it might not help I am too impatient to go beyond the first few dozen results.