Poll: Majority of Europeans believe Ukraine will win

February 24 marks the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The surprisingly long-lasting resistance of the Ukrainians has not gone unnoticed in Europe: 61 percent of Europeans believe that Ukraine will win the war. This emerges from a study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation, the results of which star present. In December, 13,300 EU citizens were questioned.

The Germans themselves are somewhat more skeptical, with only 55 percent of respondents expecting Ukraine to be able to push back the Russian aggressor. The Poles, on the other hand, are particularly optimistic, with 81 percent expecting a victory for Ukraine.

Support is important for Ukraine

The consensus in the assessment of the conflict is remarkably high: 68 percent of those surveyed (in Germany 65 percent) think it affects everyone because it is a war between Russia and Europe. 62 percent agree with the statement that Ukraine also defends the peace and prosperity of all Europeans (Germany: 59 percent).

Isabell Hoffmann calls this unity an “important signal”. She is Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation and project manager of Eupinions, the European opinion research instrument of the Bertelsmann Foundation. “Common values ​​are the foundation for the support of Ukraine by the EU and its member states,” says Hoffmann. The longer the war drags on, the more important it is for the people in Ukraine to know that the majority of citizens in the EU “recognize what they are doing”.

Opinions differ on the issue of sanctions against Russia. Only 40 percent think they are effective, just as many say the opposite. Skepticism is even more pronounced among Germans: Only 36 percent think the sanctions are useful, while 48 percent don’t think so.