Poll Indicates Declining Faith in Ukraine Among Western Europeans
A YouGov poll has revealed that the stance of arming Kiev "until it wins" is becoming less favored among the populations of seven European countries. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A YouGov poll has revealed a significant decline in public support for backing Ukraine "until it wins" its conflict with Russia in seven Western European nations. In four of these countries—France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—more respondents are now in favor of pursuing peace talks, even if it necessitates Ukraine conceding territorial losses.
The survey, conducted in early December and reported by The Guardian on Thursday, included participants from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK.
In Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, 50%, 40%, and 36% of respondents, respectively, expressed their preference for supporting "Ukraine until Russia withdraws, even if this means the war lasts longer," reflecting a drop of about 10% in all three nations since February. Conversely, 24%, 34%, and 32% of respondents, respectively, indicated that they would “encourage a negotiated end to the fighting, even if Russia still has control of some parts of Ukraine,” with these figures having risen correspondingly.
In contrast, support for a Ukrainian victory has significantly decreased in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, making peace talks the most popular option among respondents in these four countries.
Only 28% of Germans advocate for Ukraine to continue its fight, while 45% support a negotiated settlement. In Spain, France, and Italy, fewer than a quarter of respondents wish to prolong the conflict. The disparity in public opinion is particularly pronounced in Italy, where 55% favor peace talks, while just 15% want to keep supplying arms to Kiev.
Between February and December, the governments of France and Germany underwent significant changes, and Britain's former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a major defeat in July.
Although reports suggest that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is keen to conclude the conflict this year, he has publicly rejected calls for negotiations, insisting on a "just peace." His terms for this peace involve the return of four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in 2022 and an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO—demands that the Kremlin finds unacceptable.
Russia has stated that any resolution must begin with Ukraine halting military operations and acknowledging the "territorial reality" that it will never regain control over the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye, along with Crimea. Furthermore, the Kremlin emphasizes that its military operation aims to achieve Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
Incoming US President Donald Trump has frequently asserted that he will resolve the conflict within "24 hours" of taking office, though he has not provided specific details about how he would accomplish this. He has indicated plans to speak with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also suggesting that Ukraine may need to prepare for a decrease in US military aid. Trump has implied that Kiev should drop its territorial claims, arguing that "there is not a single building in good condition left" in some war-torn cities under Russian control.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is open to any agreement that acknowledges Russia's national interests along with the "legitimate interests of other countries." However, he noted that he has yet to see any "serious, concrete proposals" from the West.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
The survey, conducted in early December and reported by The Guardian on Thursday, included participants from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK.
In Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, 50%, 40%, and 36% of respondents, respectively, expressed their preference for supporting "Ukraine until Russia withdraws, even if this means the war lasts longer," reflecting a drop of about 10% in all three nations since February. Conversely, 24%, 34%, and 32% of respondents, respectively, indicated that they would “encourage a negotiated end to the fighting, even if Russia still has control of some parts of Ukraine,” with these figures having risen correspondingly.
In contrast, support for a Ukrainian victory has significantly decreased in Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, making peace talks the most popular option among respondents in these four countries.
Only 28% of Germans advocate for Ukraine to continue its fight, while 45% support a negotiated settlement. In Spain, France, and Italy, fewer than a quarter of respondents wish to prolong the conflict. The disparity in public opinion is particularly pronounced in Italy, where 55% favor peace talks, while just 15% want to keep supplying arms to Kiev.
Between February and December, the governments of France and Germany underwent significant changes, and Britain's former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a major defeat in July.
Although reports suggest that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is keen to conclude the conflict this year, he has publicly rejected calls for negotiations, insisting on a "just peace." His terms for this peace involve the return of four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in 2022 and an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO—demands that the Kremlin finds unacceptable.
Russia has stated that any resolution must begin with Ukraine halting military operations and acknowledging the "territorial reality" that it will never regain control over the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye, along with Crimea. Furthermore, the Kremlin emphasizes that its military operation aims to achieve Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.
Incoming US President Donald Trump has frequently asserted that he will resolve the conflict within "24 hours" of taking office, though he has not provided specific details about how he would accomplish this. He has indicated plans to speak with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also suggesting that Ukraine may need to prepare for a decrease in US military aid. Trump has implied that Kiev should drop its territorial claims, arguing that "there is not a single building in good condition left" in some war-torn cities under Russian control.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is open to any agreement that acknowledges Russia's national interests along with the "legitimate interests of other countries." However, he noted that he has yet to see any "serious, concrete proposals" from the West.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
