Poll Shows Majority of Germans Uncomfortable with Ukraine Joining EU
A recent survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) reveals that nearly forty percent of Germans are opposed to Ukraine joining the European Union. In fact, Austria ranks even higher on the list of nations with reservations, with fifty-two percent of Austrians against the idea.
Despite these findings, the EU is still planning to push forward at the upcoming summit to approve negotiations with Ukraine. Hungary poses a potential roadblock, as they have threatened a veto. The EU meeting with Western Balkan countries eager to join the union precedes this summit.
German skepticism regarding Ukraine's admission to the union extends beyond just Ukraine. Fifty percent of Germans believe that the EU should not accept any new members at the moment. Austria, Denmark, and France share similar views. However, Romania and Poland remain supporters of the idea.
In light of the emerging opposition, ECFR experts Piotr Buras and Engjellushe Morina suggest that the EU heads of state and government initiate talks with Ukraine and Moldova based on geopolitical motives. However, they recommend delaying a timeframe for further steps for all other candidate countries.
The poll, conducted by YouGov and Datapraxis, surveyed 6153 EU citizens, including 1058 Germans, over a period of twelve days between November 7 and 19.
Further Insights
- Strategic Importance: Despite opposition from some member states, the EU sees political and strategic value in Ukraine's admission to the union.
- European Security: Russia's ongoing aggression towards Ukraine highlights the necessity of strengthening democratic institutions and security within the region.
- Refugee Crisis: A failure to admit Ukraine into the EU could result in a significant refugee influx into the EU, imposing economic and social challenges on many European nations.
- Presidential Approval Ratings: While approval ratings for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have declined among some Europeans, the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine's accession.
- Collective Action: The EU maintains unity in its stance opposing Russia's aggression, collectively working towards ensuring stability and security in the region.
- Economic Benefits: Joining the EU can help Ukraine become a prosperous country, generating economic benefits for both Ukraine and the EU through increased trade and cooperation.
In summary, the survey capitalizes on the fact that despite widespread opposition among Germans and other European Union citizens, the EU still intends to initiate negotiations with Ukraine with geopolitical motives in mind. Although an aggressive Russian stance and potential refugee crises might complicate these negotiations, the EU continues to remain committed to promoting Ukrainian accession for collective action and economic benefits.
