Europeans Favour Ukraine's Accession to EU Compared to Other Countries

Europeans prefer the idea of Ukraine joining the EU, despite the costs and risks, and are more lukewarm about the possible enlargement of the European Union by Georgia and the Western Balkans countries.

This is evidenced by a survey of six EU member states conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), The Guardian reports.

The survey found significant support for the candidacy of Ukraine and, to a lesser extent, Moldova and Montenegro, but also deep concerns about economic and security issues.

At the same time, there is widespread opposition to the possible accession of Turkey in particular, as well as a markedly cool reaction to the prospect of Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia joining the union.

The poll showed that Denmark (50%) and Poland (47%) have the highest support for Ukraine's accession to the EU, while opinions are divided in Romania (32% in favour, 29% against), Germany (37% in favour, 39% against) and France (29% in favour, 35% against). In Austria, 52% were against.

At the same time, 45% of respondents are concerned that Ukraine's accession will have a negative impact on EU security, while 25% oppose this statement, believing that it will strengthen it.

Some Europeans do not see any economic benefits from Ukraine's membership. While 43 per cent of respondents in Poland and 37 per cent in Romania see a positive impact on the EU economy, 54 per cent in Denmark and 46 per cent in Austria foresee costs.

There are also concerns about the impact of enlargement on the EU's political power in the world. Poland and Denmark are the most optimistic in this regard: 43% and 35% of citizens believe that Ukraine's accession to the EU will have a positive impact.

In Austria (42 per cent) and Germany (32 per cent), however, the most widespread view was that Ukraine's membership would reduce the EU's political power in the world, while respondents in France and Romania were more evenly divided.

The ECFR found a clear division between 'old' and 'new' EU member states on the broader principle of enlargement. Respondents in Austria (53%), Germany (50%) and France (44%) are the most likely to believe that the EU should not accept new members.

In contrast, a majority (51%) in Romania and 48% in Poland believe that the EU should seek to enlarge. Among the "old" member states, Denmark stands out somewhat, with only 37% of respondents opposing any immediate enlargement.

Europeans are lukewarm about Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia becoming EU member states. The combined support for accession of these eight countries was less than 30%.