Key facts
- 47% of EU citizens support Ukraine's accelerated EU accession.
- 83% of Ukrainian respondents support Ukraine's accelerated EU accession.
- Sweden had the highest support for Ukraine's accession at 69%.
- Romania had the lowest support for Ukraine's accession at 40%.
- 28% of EU respondents cited increased financial burden as a challenge for Ukraine's accession.
- 58% of Ukrainians believe they do more to protect the EU from Russian aggression.
A survey released on October 13 indicates a significant divergence in opinion between European Union citizens and Ukrainians regarding Ukraine's potential EU membership and its role in European security. The poll, conducted by Nira Data across all 27 EU member states and Ukrainian territories, found that 47% of EU citizens support Ukraine's accelerated accession, while 83% of Ukrainians favor it.
Support for Ukraine joining the EU varied across member states, with Sweden showing the highest level at 69% and Romania the lowest at 40%. Economic concerns appear to be a primary driver for EU respondents. Miriam Kosmehl, an expert on Eastern Europe at the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s eupinions project, noted that Ukraine's financial situation and the estimated reconstruction costs exceeding 500 billion euros ($560 billion) pose a challenge. Twenty-eight percent of EU respondents identified the increased financial burden as the main obstacle to Ukraine's membership.
The survey also highlighted differing views on security contributions. While 58% of Ukrainians believe their country plays a significant role in defending Europe against Russian aggression, only 16% of EU citizens agree. Germany, France, and the Netherlands had the highest percentage of citizens who shared the Ukrainian view, though still a minority. Furthermore, only 14% of EU citizens believe Ukraine's membership would strengthen the Union globally. Kosmehl emphasized that Ukraine's defense of its sovereignty impacts European democracy and security, warning that Russia exploits internal divisions within the EU.