A recent survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) reveals that a significant majority of Europeans view Ukraine as a crucial partner, essential for strategic collaboration. This perception varies across countries, with some nations recognizing Ukraine as an ally that shares common interests and values.
In the survey, over 30% of respondents in most countries classified Ukraine as a “necessary partner” for strategic cooperation. Notably, the highest percentages of respondents who see Ukraine as an ally are from Sweden (52%), the United Kingdom (46%), and Denmark (45%). Other countries, including the Netherlands, Portugal, and Estonia, also show a predominance of this view over that of Ukraine as merely a partner.
Conversely, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria exhibit a higher proportion of respondents who perceive Ukraine as a competitor or even an adversary, although these views remain a minority overall. In Poland, 14% consider Ukraine a competitor, while 9% see it as an adversary. Hungary reports 5% and 25%, respectively, and Bulgaria shows 7% and 19%. Additionally, a notable segment of respondents in these countries, as well as in Italy and Switzerland, expressed uncertainty regarding their stance on Ukraine.
The survey also highlights a decline in European trust towards the United States, with only 11% of Europeans identifying the U.S. as an ally, a figure that has halved since 2024. Despite this drop in confidence, there remains no widespread support among Europeans for the idea of replacing NATO with a purely European defense alliance.
Furthermore, the survey indicates that a majority of Europeans advocate for increased defense spending, reflecting ongoing concerns about security in the region.
A survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations indicates that most Europeans view Ukraine as a vital strategic partner, with significant variations in perception across different countries. While some nations recognize Ukraine as an ally, others express concerns, highlighting a complex landscape of European attitudes towards Ukraine and defense collaboration.