INSCOP study: almost 55% of Romanians believe that Russia is to blame for starting the war in Ukraine. The figure is down from 2022
According to the study “4 years of war in Ukraine”, carried out by INSCOP Research at the behest of the New Strategy Center, almost 55% of Romanians believe that Russia is to blame for the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, a significant decrease compared to May 2022, when the percentage was 71.2%.
Almost 55% of Romanians believe that Russia is to blame for the war in Ukraine. PHOTO: Shutterstock
The sociological research was carried out between January 28 and February 6, 2026, on a sample of 1,100 people, representative of the adult population in Romania, and the maximum allowed error of the data is plus – minus 3%.
The survey results show a progressive fragmentation of perceptions of responsibility for the conflict: 14.1% of respondents point to Ukraine (compared to 4.5% in May 2022), 7.7% to the USA, 9% to the European Union, and 3.5% to other entities. The share of non-responses is 10.8%.
Director of INSCOP Research, Remus Stefureac, points out that “the data show the shift from an initially strong consensus of attribution of guilt for the outbreak of the war, to a progressive fragmentation of perceptions, a sign that public opinion is becoming more permeable to alternative narratives fueled by unprecedented information warfare. The increase in the share of those who attribute blame to actors other than Russia indicates not only polarization, but also a diversification of geopolitical interpretation frames among the population against the background of constant efforts to influence the population. These developments are due the absence in the last 4 years of some courageous lines of strategic communication assumed by the political class and which clearly and constantly project the critical interests of Romania.”
George Scutaru, general director of the New Strategy Center, explained that “this research presents the perception of Romanians towards various topics directly related to the war in Ukraine or which are related to important aspects related to the security of our country. The research validates the existence of some worrying trends at the level of society, which have intensified under the pressure of internal and external events, a weak institutional response and some disinformation campaigns. The current situation is determined by several factors, such as sporadic or inconsistent communication from the political elite in what it concerns the support for Ukraine, the avoidance of topics related to the defense and security of Romania despite the developments in the international plane, the lack of involvement in the development of a security culture and a civic responsibility when it comes to the defense of Romania.”
The main topics analyzed include the responsibility for the war in Ukraine, the chances of concluding a peace agreement, the level of solidarity with the neighboring state, trust in collective security guarantees and Romania's preparation in case of external aggression. The research provides an x-ray of how public opinion in Romania has evolved against the backdrop of a prolonged conflict at the country's borders and the intensified information war in recent years.
