By Gudrun Dometeit

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50 percent of Americans are in favour of further support for Ukraine, primarily with military means. And 54 percent are in favour of the country becoming a member of NATO — in contrast to statements by the new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who stated in Brussels on Wednesday that a NATO perspective for Ukraine is not a realistic outcome of negotiations. The figures come from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's latest research, Security Radar. For the fourth time since 2019, the Foundation interviewed around 27,000 citizens in 14 OSCE states about risk and future expectations, European security and the war between Russia and Ukraine. The survey was also carried out in these two countries.

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Many Americans also now see the role of the USA in Europe differently. 48 percent are still in favour of the fact that their country should guarantee security in Europe — but only under certain conditions, such as fair burden-sharing.

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The study shows growing concerns among respondents in all countries about violent conflicts. 67 percent expect an era of wars and conflicts, 60 percent even believe that a new war in Europe is possible in view of the tensions between Russia and the West. 53 percent fear a new Cold War between the USA and China.

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In response to the ongoing discussion about increasing defense spending, 56% of all respondents argue that this should not be done at the expense of social and economic investments, 29% believe that defense should have a higher priority — particularly many — not surprisingly — in the two belligerent countries of Russia and Ukraine. 48 percent of all respondents spoke in this context in favour of using special taxes from the rich for more defense.

The entire Security Radar 2025 can be found here: Security Radar 2025

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