Paris (TDI): A majority of citizens in European countries believe there is a high risk of their country going to war with Russia, according to a survey conducted by French polling group, Cluster 17, published on Thursday in the French International Affairs Journal Le Grand Continent.
The survey conducted at the end of November among 9,553 participants across 9 European states showed that 51% believe Russia could go to war with their country in the coming years.
It included respondents from Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium and the Netherlands, with each country contributing over 100 participants. Perception of threat varied widely across Europe.
The greatest concern was registered in Poland, a country bordering both Russia and its ally Belarus, where 77% of respondents feared a conflict on the way. A similar sentiment was seen in France by 54% and Germany by 51%.
By contrast, Italy stood out for its skepticism, with 65% of Italians assessing the likelihood of war as low or non-existent.
Read More: Zelensky Warns Russia Poised to Expand War into Europe
Despite the focus on Russia, the survey indicated that Europeans remain far less worried about the escalation of the conflict, with 81% of respondents indicating little or no harm.
The poll also reflects a broader debate unfolding within Europe over defense preparedness. In France, 44% of the people believed that their country is capable of protecting itself in case of any conflict.
Approximately 85% of the people in Italy and Portugal believed that their country wouldn’t be able to defend itself.
Meanwhile, theories reminded us of a dominant security concern among Europeans, across the nine states, 63% rated the risk of an open conflict as a higher probability.
The survey also reflected changing attitudes towards the relationship, with just half of the respondents now viewing United States President Donald Trump as an enemy of Europe.
As European governments reassess defense strategies and confront increasingly complex security dynamics, the survey highlights a public growing more anxious about the continent’s stability and its readiness for emerging threats.
