Although Brussels-based political leaders are pressing for increased weapons deliveries and have floated the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, European citizens largely reject these proposals. According to a new survey by the Századvég Foundation, 51 per cent of EU residents oppose arms shipments, while 69 per cent reject the deployment of national troops to Ukraine.
In a statement released on Friday, Századvég said Europe’s political elite is increasingly adopting a war-driven mindset, with leaders issuing ever more radical statements that, in their view, risk drawing the European Union deeper into the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently called for accelerating the immediate delivery of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. She later noted that although Europe has already provided nearly 170 billion euros in military and financial assistance, additional support would be required. Meanwhile, European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber said at the end of 2025 that he would like to see German soldiers deployed to Ukraine under a European flag.
Public opinion, however, does not align with this approach. Századvég’s latest Europe Project survey found that nearly seven in ten EU adults oppose sending troops to Ukraine, while only about one quarter support the stance promoted by political elites. Sweden is the only member state where a relative plurality, 47 per cent, favours troop deployment; in all other countries, opposition dominates, and in most cases forms an absolute majority.
The strongest opposition to troop deployment was recorded in Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovenia, where 91 per cent, 85 per cent and 83 per cent of respondents, respectively, rejected the idea.
Opposition to arms deliveries is also widespread. Across the EU, 51 per cent of citizens are against sending weapons to Ukraine, while 43 per cent support such measures. This shift is notable given that several member states have continued to supply arms regardless of public sentiment, often accompanied by communication campaigns aimed at persuading domestic audiences.
According to the researchers, public attitudes have moved steadily in the opposite direction. While a slim majority of EU citizens supported arms shipments in 2023, backing has declined since then, with opposition overtaking support by 2025.
Absolute majorities opposing arms deliveries were found in 14 member states, with relative majorities in five more. Cyprus, Hungary and Greece showed the strongest resistance, at 79 per cent, 75 per cent and 73 per cent respectively. By contrast, support for arms shipments was highest in Finland, Lithuania and Sweden.
Századvég noted that the Europe Project builds on a large-scale public opinion research initiative launched in 2016 across all EU member states. The most recent survey was conducted between 8 October and 10 December 2025, covering 30 European countries and involving 30,000 respondents.
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