Public support for Ukraine’s EU membership varies widely / The New Voice of Ukraine

A new Polling Europe survey found that, across the entire European Union, 49 percent of citizens support Ukraine joining the bloc, 39 percent oppose it, and 12 percent are undecided, Euronews reported on Aug. 4.

The survey was conducted as accession talks advance. The EU recently opened a new negotiating cluster on external relations to align Ukraine’s positions with the bloc on defense, trade, and foreign policy.

Support was strongest in Spain, where 65 percent backed membership. Madrid’s ties with Kyiv have deepened since 2022: Spain has trained more than 9,000 Ukrainian troops and this year pledged a military-aid package of EUR1 billion (about $1.1 billion).

Italy registered 52 percent in favor, though many Italians say Kyiv should carry out reforms first.

Unexpectedly, the greatest skepticism came from France, Germany, and Poland, countries often seen as among Ukraine’s strongest allies, where pluralities opposed full membership. Opposition was highest in Poland at 49 percent.

Public support for Ukraine’s EU membership varies widely, survey shows