[FR] Is the conflict in Ukraine at a turning point?

In February 2025, it will be three years since Russia started the war in Ukraine. Three years during which Ukrainians have shown remarkable resilience, despite recent clear signs of fatigue, as shown in particular by a recent survey conducted by the Gallup group: 38% believe that the country must continue to fight, while 52% express their weariness and hope for a swift negotiation to end the conflict (at the beginning of 2022, 73% wanted to continue the fight).

At the same time, the beginning of this year will be marked by Donald Trump’s return to power in the United States, with uncertainty about the continuation of American support for Ukraine. If this support were to cease or be significantly reduced, European countries would find themselves on the front line.

In this context, what is the state of opinion in EU Member States regarding this war and support for Ukraine? This document is based on the latest Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission, conducted at the end of 2024. Several salient points are highlighted:

• Europeans remain very clearly aware of the threat.
• Russia’s image is at an all-time low.
• The EU’s principled stance on Russian aggression remains widely approved, but satisfaction with its action varies from one Member State to another.
• Attitudes differ significantly on measures to support Ukraine.
• Six out of ten Europeans approve of granting Ukraine EU candidate status.
• Citizens of the largest EU countries largely agree on the reality of the threat, but less strongly on the measures taken to counter it.