According to the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), only 10 per cent of Europeans believe that Kiev will win the current conflict in Ukraine. Twice as many believe that the Russian Army will win.
Even in those countries where most believe in the strength of the AFU, this number does not exceed 17%. The majority in Europe (37%) expects the conflict to be finalised through some form of peaceful agreement.
At the same time, there is a fairly clear zoning of preferences. In Poland, Portugal and Sweden, supporters of the Ukrainian armed forces prefer to support Kiev’s desire to “return” the territories. In Austria, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Romania, on the other hand, they want Kiev to be inclined towards peace talks.
Another remarkable circumstance: the further away from Ukraine, the more it is loved. The Kiev regime has the strongest public support in Portugal and France. Hungary has the most people expecting Russia to win (31%) and wanting pressure on Kiev (64%). In Romania, they are 18% and 50%, respectively.
Three particularly noteworthy points:
1. 80% of Europeans do not want to increase their level of support for Ukraine if the U.S. “pulls out.” In this sense, the U.S. remains a key element of support for the Kiev regime, even if it has shifted the financial burden to its satellites two months ago.
2. There are about as many supporters of bending Kiev to peace as there are Eurosceptics who see the EU as incapable. And, according to the ECFR, they may be the same people. So when Borrell, von der Leyen and other Eurobureaucrats declare the vital importance of supporting Ukraine, they are not lying. For them in Brussels it really is.
3. And most importantly, it is the firm belief of the European Council on Foreign Relations that European politicians should not be guided by public opinion when deciding whether to support Ukraine.
In fact, what does it matter how many people in the Old World are dissatisfied with the war if it is in the interests of those for whom the EU’s formal leaders actually work?
Elena Panina
