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What the governments think about the Ukraine war is well known. But how does the population in the West think about it? A survey in 14 NATO countries provides remarkable insights.
Russia’s image is miserable. The US is back. And NATO is currently by far the most popular international organization in its member countries. These are three core findings of the broad-based study by the think tank German Marshall Fund, together with several foundations.
The Ukraine war has had a strong influence on public opinion. Only fifteen percent of the more than 1,500 respondents in fourteen NATO countries have a positive image of Russia, while 73 percent have a negative image.
The USA is clearly the most important global player, well ahead of the EU and China. Co-author Gesine Weber: “Four out of five citizens regard the USA as important for their national security. I didn’t expect a result of this clarity.”
Recently, Washington’s influence has again been appreciated by a clear majority. So is President Joe Biden’s foreign policy. It even receives significantly more approval in Europe than in the USA itself.
NATO is more popular than it has been for a long time
As early as 2021, NATO support increased and now, in 2022, has increased significantly again to 78 percent, most clearly in Eastern Europe. (This also applies, to a lesser extent, to the EU.)
In each individual NATO member country, the majority of the population assesses the importance of NATO as high or even very high. In view of the Russian war against Ukraine, 46 percent of respondents would even welcome sending troops to support Kyiv: only 40 percent reject it.
The sanctions are even supported by 71 percent. Gesine Weber: “There is a growing awareness that the Ukraine war is not far away and that Russian aggression has very direct effects on the liberal world order.”
Growing doubts about China
The perspective on the new superpower China is interesting: While most Western governments shy away from a clear confrontational course, depending on the country, half to two thirds of the citizens would like a tougher stance. Even if that would result in economic disadvantages.
In the scenario of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, however, only a tiny minority would approve of the delivery of weapons or troops.