The vast majority of Belgians back Ukraine in its war against Russia, and believe that Ukraine can repel Russia's invasion and defeat them on the battlefield. Despite widespread worry over the war, 61% of highly anxious Europeans think that Ukraine will win this war.
According to a new eupinions survey, which was conducted in partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation, 64% of Belgians regard Russia's invasion as an attack on the rest of Europe. Moreover, 60% of Belgians believe that Ukraine will win, while 75% think that it should be up to Ukrainians alone to decide if and when to negotiate a peace settlement.
In addition, a significant majority (62%) of Belgians blamed Russia for starting the conflict, while only 24% said either Ukraine, NATO, or the US were primarily responsible.
European unity — and anxiety
Attitudes in Belgium were found to be broadly reflective of those in Europe as a whole: 68% of Europeans agreed that Russia had attacked all of Europe by invading Ukraine, while 75% also agreed that Ukraine should negotiate a peace settlement if and when it chooses to do so.
In the belief that "Ukrainians have been attacked and need to defend themselves," Belgium (77%) is above the EU (76%) average.
"This unity is an important signal," said Isabell Hoffmann, a Senior Expert at Bertelsmann Stiftung and the head of eupinions. "Common values are a cornerstone of the support provided to Ukraine by the EU and its Member States. The longer this war drags on, the more important it is for Ukrainians to know that the majority of EU citizens acknowledge their achievements."
The Manneken Pis statue in the city center of Brussels wears a Ukrainian flag on Wednesday 24 August 2022, 6 months after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Credit: Belga / Juliette Bruynseels
However, both Belgians and Europeans were found to be increasingly anxious about the world situation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine: 61% of Belgians, and 66% of Europeans, said that they believed that the world is now a more dangerous place and that things had been better in the past.
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"The level of anxiety is exceptionally high right now," Hoffmann explained. "Given the brutality of the war, the toll it's taking, and the overall level of threat, this is not surprising."
That said, 61% of highly anxious Europeans still believe that Ukraine will win this war. In Belgium, the figure of anxious support stood at 59%.
"What's really remarkable, however, is that the most anxious are just as supportive of Ukraine as are EU citizens as a whole. Our data do not suggest that this high level of anxiety correlates with weakened support for Ukraine in its struggle for independence and self-determination," Hoffman added.
