Western Europe shifts focus: Growing support for talks with Russia
Finding backing for unconditionally supporting Ukraine in Western Europe is becoming increasingly challenging. Research conducted by the YouGov institute, with findings published in Thursday's edition of the British newspaper "Guardian," reveals that in four of the seven countries analysed, residents tend to favour commencing negotiations with Russia.
The research was conducted in December in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. It showed that over the past 12 months, public support for backing Ukraine to achieve victory—even if it means prolonging the war—has weakened in all countries.
Western Europe in favour of negotiations with Putin
The survey also indicated that support for an alternative resolution to the conflict—a negotiated end to the fighting, even if it allows Russia to control part of Ukraine—has increased in each country, and in four of them, it is the preferred option.
The survey shows that readiness to support Ukraine until defeating Russia remains relatively high in Sweden (50 per cent, down from 57) and Denmark (40 per cent, down from 51). In the United Kingdom, it stands at 36 per cent, a decrease from a recent 50.
In Italy, support for negotiating peace increased from 45 to 55 per cent, in Spain from 38 to 46 per cent, in France from 35 to 43 per cent, and in Germany from 38 to 45 per cent. In all these countries, this is the preferred approach to the war in Ukraine.
The study revealed that most Europeans in the western part of the continent believe that Ukraine's allies have not done enough, both in terms of economic sanctions against Moscow and military and other aid to Kyiv, to prevent Russia from winning the war.
However, few believed that their country should increase its support, as noted by the "Guardian."
