Almost no one in Austria believes that Ukraine will win the defensive war against Russia. This is the conclusion of a survey by the think tank ECFR, which shows that only seven percent of respondents expect Kiev’s troops to be a military success. Moreover, 49 percent believe that Ukraine should conduct peace negotiations with Moscow.
The research by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) was published on Wednesday. It was carried out in twelve EU Member States. In Austria, 1,111 adults were interviewed in January. In total there were approximately 17,000 participants.
A third wants to support Ukraine in its reconquest
A total of 31 percent believed that Ukraine should receive support to regain the lost territories. 23 percent of Austrian participants agreed with this statement. The greatest support for retaking the territories was among respondents in Sweden (50 percent), while 31 percent were in favor of negotiations.
At the other end of the scale was Hungary, where 16 percent wanted to see support for Ukraine, while 64 percent wanted peace negotiations.
Only a small group believes in Ukraine’s military victory
At 31 percent, Hungarians were also the most likely to believe that Russia would win the war, while only a small group believed in a military victory for Ukraine. In Austria, one in five (20 percent) sees a Russian victory as the most likely outcome of the war. Seven percent see Ukraine as the winner, while 36 percent expect a negotiated solution. In Poland, Sweden and Portugal, 17 percent of respondents each expect a Ukrainian victory; 14, 19 and 11 percent respectively expect a Russian victory.
Austrians see refugees “more as an opportunity”
The war also led to many Ukrainians fleeing to EU countries. The authors of the study wondered whether these refugees are seen ‘more as a threat’ or ‘more as an opportunity’. In Austria, the answer was slightly in favor of Ukrainian refugees: 33 percent to 26 percent. On the other hand, Poles (40 percent) and Hungarians (37 percent) have a negative image of Ukrainian refugees.
On the other side were the Swedes, where only ten percent saw a threat and 52 percent an opportunity for their country.
The American elections also play an important role
The US elections will also determine how support for Ukraine will continue. If Donald Trump’s re-election as US president causes the United States to significantly reduce its aid, only 14 percent of Austrians surveyed want the EU to try to make up the shortfall as best as possible.
42 percent even think that the EU should follow the potential American example. Another 17 percent would be in favor of maintaining the current level of support.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
