A new public opinion poll by Hungarian think tank Századvég highlights a growing gap between European Union decision-makers and public sentiment across the continent regarding military involvement in the war in Ukraine. The survey, conducted as part of the think tank’s Project Europe, shows that a majority of Europeans oppose both the deployment of soldiers in Ukraine and the delivery of arms to the eastern front.
According to the findings of the poll, 69% of Europeans reject the idea of sending soldiers to Ukraine, while 51% oppose arms deliveries.
The latest data suggests skepticism towards Brussels has become the dominant position across much of the EU.
Commenting on the findings, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltán Kovács highlighted on X that the poll “reveals a clear divide between Brussels and European citizens on the war in Ukraine.”
Opposition is particularly strong in several Central and Eastern European countries. In Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovenia, more than 80% of respondents oppose military involvement. Only in Sweden is support for sending troops to Ukraine the dominant opinion (47%), while everywhere else, those who oppose it are in the absolute majority. Europeans are clearly wearier of escalation in parts of the EU that are geographically closer to the conflict.
The data comes as Germany, France and the UK, among others, are preparing to re-introduce mandatory conscription, and are quietly shifting onto a war footing.
Analysts say the findings could have important political consequences, especially as EU governments face domestic pressure over rising costs, security concerns, and voter fatigue related to the prolonged conflict. The Századvég survey indicates that while institutional momentum in Brussels remains strong, public support for deeper military engagement is steadily eroding across much of Europe.
Zolta Győri is a journalist at europeanconservative.com.
