Key facts
- Most citizens in surveyed NATO countries have a positive impression of the alliance.
- Poland (78%), Sweden (74%), Germany (73%), and Hungary (72%) show the highest positive views of NATO.
- US citizens are divided along partisan lines, with Democrats more favorable than Republicans.
- All surveyed NATO members hold unfavorable views of Russia.
- Views on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are divided among NATO citizens.
A study by the Pew Research Center indicates that citizens of NATO member countries generally hold positive views of the military alliance, despite recent geopolitical tensions. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the actions of US President Donald Trump have kept NATO in the headlines, but public opinion remains largely favorable in most surveyed nations.
Poland leads with 78% positive opinion, followed by Sweden (74%), Germany (73%), and Hungary (72%). Non-European members Canada (67%) and the US (57%) also show majority favorable impressions. However, opinions are split in Spain (48% unfavorable, 44% favorable), and a majority in Greece and Turkey hold negative views (59% each).
Since last year, positive opinions have seen declines in France (-7%), Italy (-6%), and the US (-3%), while Greece experienced an increase (+8%). Demographic differences are also apparent. In the US, a significant partisan divide exists, with 75% of Democrats favorable to NATO compared to 42% of Republicans. In Hungary, younger adults (18-34) are more positive (87%) than older adults (50+) (64%), a trend also observed in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the US.
The study also highlighted unfavorable views of Russia across all surveyed NATO members, with Sweden (94%), Poland (86%), and the Netherlands (85%) expressing the strongest disapproval. Confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin to act appropriately in world affairs is low across Europe and the Americas, with the lowest ratings in Poland, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands. Turkey, Greece, and Hungary showed the highest, yet still minority, confidence levels.
Views on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are also divided. Swedes (83%), Britons (68%), and Dutch (67%) express the most confidence in him, while Hungarians (78%), Greeks (75%), and Turks (70%) are most likely to express the opposite. In the US, confidence in Zelenskyy is split, with 50% expressing trust and 40% not.