More than 70% of interviewed residents in the European Union approve of economic sanctions against Russia, and two-thirds believe tighter sanctions should be imposed, as reported by Eurofound, which performed the survey.
Support in favour of economic sanctions is especially high in Scandinavian countries, Baltic States, Romania, Poland and Ireland.
This survey was performed as part of a new EU study. Results are planned to be published in July.
The survey that was done in April revealed wide support of anti-Russian sanctions, military aid for Ukraine and practical measures, such as provision of housing for refugees. More than 40 000 people participated in the survey, answering questions on many topics, including Ukraine.
76% of respondents said they are very concerned about the war.
A high level of concern is observed in multiple countries that border Russia, such as Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as south Mediterranean countries and Ireland.
80% of respondents voiced support of the approach used by the EU and member states by providing housing to refugees. More than 84% of respondents supported EU’s and member states’ humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
As for military support, 66% of respondents support EU’s military aid to Ukraine. However, opinions change among from country to country. In Poland, Scandinavian countries, Baltic States, Malta and Ireland most respondents believe the EU should provide more military support to Ukraine. 50% of more respondents in Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia and Bulgaria believe the EU has already done too much in this area.
The survey revealed that EU citizens are also concerned about energy prices.
28% of respondents believe it will be difficult for them to pay for gas and electricity. 31% are concerned about growing fuel prices.
Policy-makers are seriously worried about the possibility that Europe’s solidarity and cohesion could be undermined by a wave of disinformation campaigns that are observed around the world. Multiple disinformation campaigns have switched from covid to the war in Ukraine.
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Of the interviewed European residents who use traditional media to acquire information, only 24% do not support anti-Russian sanctions. Among respondents that mainly use social media to get information, 39% do not support anti-Russian sanctions. Among respondents that are not vaccinated for Covid-19, the number of people who do not support sanctions reaches 45%.