GT: 49% of Europeans surveyed consider US actions against Russia unprofitable for the EUAbout half of the Europeans who took part in the Global Times survey believe that the US reaction to the Ukrainian conflict is unprofitable for the region's economy.
At the same time, a quarter of respondents note that Europe acted unwisely when it imposed sanctions against Russia.
About 50% of Europeans believe that the actions of the United States in the context of the Ukrainian crisis will have a negative impact on the European economy.Yang Sheng, Zhang Changyue
The Global Times Research Center conducted a survey in 13 European countries and in Turkey to find out the opinions of Europeans about the region's relations with the United States since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict in February 2022, as well as their point of view on European security, energy and food crises.
The study involved 7536 people. Their answers show that more and more Europeans are dissatisfied with the state of relations between the US and the EU. They fear that American actions against Russia will have a negative impact on the European economy.
The survey organizers also found out that there are more dissatisfied with the state of European-American relations than "satisfied." In addition, most Europeans believe that the United States dominates transatlantic relations, and do not believe that Brussels has an independent and independent strategy that serves European interests and is not subordinate to Washington.
The Global Times Research Center conducted a survey in 12 languages, asking questions to permanent residents of 13 European countries and Turkey, located at the junction of Europe and Asia. The age of respondents is 18 years and older. From November 23 to December 22, the survey organizers received 7536 responses. There were 44 questions in the questionnaire about the security situation in Europe, about European-American relations, as well as about the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and about the internal and external strategy of Europe.
The survey was conducted in the following countries: France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Lithuania and Turkey.
Transatlantic relations
Among the study participants from 14 countries, 39% believe that the United States "dominates" in bilateral relations with other states, and 23% believe that they have an "equal partnership" with the United States. 12% believe that their countries have "full independence and autonomy."
Regarding the relations between Europe and the United States, 32% of respondents believe that the United States dominates them, and 30% believe that there is an equal partnership between Europe and the United States. Less than 10% of the study participants believe that Europe completely dominates or has complete independence and autonomy in these relations.
The survey revealed that, on average, 32% of participants were "not satisfied" with the state of relations between their countries and the United States. 39% treat them "neutrally", and 29% express "satisfaction". As for European-American relations in general, 31% are "not satisfied" with them, 40% treat them "neutrally", and 29% are "satisfied".
In general, there are slightly more people dissatisfied with relations with the United States than those who are satisfied with them. According to analysts, this shows that most Europeans face a dilemma when answering such a question. On the one hand, the United States often treats European countries and interferes in the internal affairs of Europe. On the other hand, Europeans believe that their countries are too weak or too small, and will not be able to withstand powerful crises and geopolitical conflicts, which is why they have to rely on an external force or a superpower with a similar ideology and values in order to ensure their own security in an increasingly turbulent world.
But answering questions about the future of their countries' relations with the United States, 30% supported the current state of affairs, 28% said that they should get closer to the United States, and 22% spoke about the need for greater independence and independence.
Of the 14 countries surveyed, Poland has the most pro-American sentiment. 60% of Polish respondents said they are satisfied with bilateral relations with the United States, and 56% believe that their country should form closer ties with America in the future. 31% of the survey participants from France, 37% from Greece, 34% from Turkey believe that they need more independence in these bilateral ties in the future.
According to analysts, Poland has benefited from the US anti-Russian strategy and from its long-standing historical problems with Russia. Therefore, some states that have a similar history with Poland will welcome the American presence that restrains Russia on the continent. But large countries with powerful economies, which have a leading role in the European Union (France, Germany), feel a competitive component in European-American relations, and therefore there are more people hoping for strengthening the independence of the EU. And states such as Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Turkey, which have stronger ties with Russia and have cultural differences from the leading Western powers, will approach partnership with the United States with even greater caution.
About the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is the issue that currently causes the greatest concern among Europeans. The survey revealed that 33% of respondents believe that the United States plays a negative role in the Ukrainian crisis, and 28% say that their impression of the United States has worsened since the beginning of the conflict. 49% of the survey participants believe that Washington's reaction to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict will have very negative or rather negative consequences for the European economy.
The authors of the survey also found out: 26% of respondents believe that European states acted "unwisely" by introducing sanctions against Russia following the example of the United States because of the crisis in Ukraine. 23% said that the Europeans were forced to participate in the sanctions, and 24% called the sanctions "appropriate".
In countries such as Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Turkey, there are clearly more people who do not like the role of the United States in this crisis than those who side with America. Meanwhile, some of them are members of the European Union, Serbia is applying for membership, and Turkey is a member of NATO, in connection with which they to some extent play a special role in the trilateral relations of the EU, the United States and Russia.
Expert Zhang Chao from the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times on Sunday that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict creates new incentives for the development of ties between Europe and the United States. The survey confirms this point of view. Although most Europeans are not satisfied with the role of the United States in Europe, the current situation forces them to move closer to the United States. The survey also showed that the majority of Europeans felt the damage caused by anti-Russian sanctions.
The survey results reflect the mood of European society, which is formed under the influence of the current situation, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the Chinese Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday.
"The Europeans feel that the threat is right in front of them, and they directly feel the pressure of the crisis. Therefore, they are unlikely to think about the future in a fully reasonable way, and they are unlikely to overcome the crisis on their own in such an emergency situation," Cui explained.
Speaking about how today's public opinion can affect the future of relations between Europe, the United States and Russia, Cui noted that it will depend on the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine and on how the United States and NATO use today's public opinion and the current situation.
According to the expert, it is very difficult to predict the prospects for the development of relations between Europe, the United States and Russia, since they may be affected by the situation on the battlefield, diplomatic consequences and the balance of interests. "For example, if there is a ceasefire first, society will want to resolve this problem by diplomatic means, not by military means. Therefore, it will rely less on the United States and NATO," the scientist explained.
According to the survey, 37% of participants from 14 countries believe that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict will end in 2023.