Europe is afraid of Russia, but does not believe in its own defense. Crushing survey results in 9 countries

Le Grand Continent published a survey in which 51 percent respondents in nine EU countries, including Poland, assessed that the risk of war with Russia was high. The study was conducted in: Belgium, Croatia, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Portugal and Italy.

The results of the survey were published on the Le Grand Continent website. Respondents answered the question: “Do you think Russia could go to war against your country in the coming years?” More than half (51%) of the 9,553 respondents considered the risk to be “high” or “very high.” In Poland, there were much more such answers – 77%.

In Germany, 51 percent indicated a high or very high risk of war between their country and Russia. respondents, in France – 54 percent In Italy, 65 percent respondents concluded that such a risk was weak or non-existent.

The study also shows that respondents doubt their countries' military capabilities in confrontation with Russia. In total, over two thirds – 69 percent. – respondents believe that they would not be able (“at all” or “rather”) to defend themselves against possible Russian aggression.

In France, which is the only EU country with its own nuclear weapons, 44 percent respondents believed that their country was “definitely” or “somewhat” capable of defending itself. In Belgium, Italy and Portugal, a large majority of respondents (87%, 85% and 85% respectively) assessed that their country was unable to defend itself.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Le Grand Continent notes that in the eyes of public opinion in Europe, Russia is a great threat, the source of which is a specific country.. In turn, respondents consider terrorism to be the most immediate threat. 63 percent respondents considered that the risk of war with terrorist organizations was high or very high.

The study was conducted by the Cluster 17 center for Le Grand Continent on samples of over 1,000 people in each of nine countries. The periodical, dealing with geopolitical issues, is associated with the prestigious Parisian university ENS (Ecole Normale Superieure).

From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)

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