The EU’s response to the war in Ukraine : Eurobarometer report.
Date: 2024-08-02
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, EU Member State, EU energy policy, EU restrictive measure, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, United Kingdom, energy consumption, opinion poll, report, sample survey, source of information, the EU's international role, war

STANDARD  EUROBAROMETER  101

The EU’s response 
to the war in 
Ukraine 

E UR O B A R O M E T E R   R E P OR T  
A P R I L   -   M A Y  2 0 2 4

This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication. 

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it 
are solely those of the authors. 

Project title 

Language version 

Media/Volume 

Catalogue number 

ISBN 

ISSN 

DOI 

© European Union, 2024  

https://www.europa.eu/eurobarometer 

Photo credit: Getty Images 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 – Spring 2024 

The EU’s response to the war in Ukraine 

EN 

PDF

 NA-AO-24-006-EN-N 

978-92-68-16267-5

1977-3927 

10.2775/7157 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction 

I. The EU’s response to the war in Ukraine

II. Action taken as a response to the war in Ukraine

III. Consequences of the war in Ukraine

IV. European security under threat

V. Future EU action in the wake of the war

1. Defence co-operation in the EU

2. Energy Security in the EU

Conclusion 

4 

6 

12 

28 

33 

38 

39

47 

59 

 
Introduction 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

  Satisfaction with the response of the EU and of national 

governments to the invasion of Ukraine; 

  Strength of approval for the economic and humanitarian 
actions taken as a response to the invasion, and for the 
granting of candidate status to Ukraine; 

  Whether  Europeans  think  the  war  in  Ukraine  has  had 
serious  financial  consequences  for  them  personally,  or 
serious economic consequences for their country; 

  Whether or not Europeans think the invasion of Ukraine 
is a threat to the security of the EU or of their country; 

  Support  for  future  EU  action  in  the  wake  of  the  war, 
including  defence  co-operation  and  actions  to  ensure 
energy security. 

candidate 

The Standard Eurobarometer 101 (EB101) survey of spring 
2024 was conducted from 2 April to 9 May in 38 countries 
or territories: the 27 Member States of the European Union 
(Albania,  Georgia, 
(EU),  eight 
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye and 
Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Turkish Cypriot Community in 
the part of the country not controlled by the Government of 
the Republic of Cyprus, as well as in Kosovo 1 and the United 
Kingdom. 

countries 

The full report of the Standard Eurobarometer 101 survey 
consists of multiple volumes. The first volume presents the 
results  of  general  questions  about  the  state  of  public 
opinion in the European Union. Three other volumes present 
Europeans’  opinions  about  the  following  topics:  the 
European  Union’s  priorities,  European  citizenship  and 
opinions regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in the Ukraine continues 
to have wide-ranging impacts on both Europe and the rest 
of  the  world.  The  EU  remains  steadfast  in  its  support  of 
Ukraine, and as recently as 21 March 2024 has reiterated 
its commitment to Ukraine.2 

Since  the  start  of  the  war  the  EU  and  its  Member  States 
have  provided  more  than  €98.5  billion  in  economic, 
humanitarian  and  military  support  to  Ukraine.3  Recent 
measures  include  final  approval  for  the  establishment  of 
the Ukraine Facility which will provide financial support of 
€50 billion for Ukraine for the period 2024-2027 (February 
2024)  and  an  allocation  of  €5  billion  under  the  European 
Peace  Facility  to  support  Ukraine  (March  2024).  At  the 
special  European  Council  on  17  April  2024,  EU  leaders 
emphasised  the  need  to  intensify  delivery  of  military 
assistance to Ukraine, in addition to humanitarian and civil 
protection  assistance.  As  part  of  its  response  the  EU  has 
also imposed 13 rounds of significant sanctions on Russian 
individuals, entities and the Russian government (as of May 
2024). 

This  volume  of  the  spring  2024  Standard  Eurobarometer 
survey (EB101) analyses European citizens’ opinions about 
the war in Ukraine and its consequences. This report follows 
earlier  surveys  on  the  same  subject  in  October-November 
2023  (EB100),  May-June  2023  (EB99),  January-February 
2023  (EB98),  June-July  2022  (EB97),  and  October-
November 2022 (Special Eurobarometer on Ukraine, 98.1) 
and 
includes  comparisons  with  the  previous  survey 
(Standard  Eurobarometer  100  autumn  2023).  The  survey 
identified  by  the  European 
covers  five  topic  areas 
Commission: 

1 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 
1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. 

2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-response-ukraine-invasion/timeline-
eu-response-ukraine-invasion/  
3 https://eu-solidarity-ukraine.ec.europa.eu/index_en 

5 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, 
PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, 
CY, MT, SK, LV, LT, HR 
BG, CZ, DK, HU, PL, RO, SE  Outside euro area 

Euro area 

* Cyprus  as  a  whole  is  one  of  the  27  European  Union
Member States.  However, the ‘acquis communautaire’  has
been  suspended  in  the  part  of  the  country  which  is  not
controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For
practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part
of the country controlled by the government of the Republic
of Cyprus are included in the ‘CY’ category and in the EU27
average.

We wish to thank the people throughout Europe who have 
given their time to take part in this survey.  

Without their active participation, this study would not 
have been possible.  

Methodology 

that  of 

The  methodology  used 
the  Standard 
is 
Eurobarometer  surveys  carried  out  by  the  Directorate-
General  for  Communication 
(“Media  monitoring  and 
Eurobarometer”  Unit)45.  A  technical  note  relating  to  the 
interviews carried out by institutes of the Verian network is 
attached  as  an  appendix  to  this  report.  It  also  specifies 
confidence intervals.  

Following  the  EU  General  Data  Protection  Regulation6 
(GDPR), respondents were asked whether or not they would 
agree  to  be  asked  questions  on  issues  that  could  be 
considered “sensitive”. 

Note:  In  this  report,  EU  countries  are  referred  to  by  their 
official abbreviation. The abbreviations  used in this report 
correspond to: 

Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Czechia 
Denmark 

Germany 
Estonia 
Ireland 
Greece 

Spain 
France 
Croatia 
Italy 
Republic of 
Cyprus 
Latvia 

Turkish Cypriot 
Community 

Albania 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 
Georgia 
Moldova 

Montenegro 

BE 
BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

CY* 

LV 

CY 
(tcc) 

AL 

BA 

GE 

MD 

ME 

European Union - 
weighted average for the 
27 Member States of the 
European Union 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

LT 
LU 

HU 

MT 

NL 

AT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SI 

SK 

FI 

SE 

Kosovo 7 

XK 

North Macedonia  MK 

RS 

TR 

UK 

Serbia 

Türkiye 

The United 
Kingdom 

EU27 

4 https://www.europa.eu/eurobarometer  
5 The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the 
percentages indicated in the tables in this report may exceed 100% when 
the respondent was able to choose several answers to the same question. 
6 2016/679 

7 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line 
with  UNSCR  1244/99  and  the  ICJ  Opinion  on  the  Kosovo  declaration  of 
independence. 

6 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

I. The EU’s
response to the
war in Ukraine

6 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

the 

response  of 

Satisfaction  with 
the  national 
government  is  slightly  lower,  with  52%  (-2  pp)  of 
respondents  saying  they  are  satisfied,  including  11%  (no 
change) who say they are “very satisfied”. More than four in 
ten are dissatisfied (44%, +3 pp), including 13% (no change) 
who are “not at all satisfied”. Almost one in twenty (4%, -1 
pp) say they don’t know.  

Satisfaction with the response of the EU and national 
governments to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has 
declined slightly, but the majority of citizens are still 
satisfied. 

More than half are satisfied with the EU’s response to the 
Russian  invasion  of  Ukraine  (55%,  -2  percentage  points 
since  October-November  2023),  with  10%  (-1  pp)  saying 
they  are  “very  satisfied”. 8    Four  in  ten  (+3  pp)  are 
dissatisfied, which includes 11% (no change) who are “not 
at all satisfied”. One in twenty (-1 pp) say they don’t know. 

8 QD1. In general, how satisfied are you with the response to the Russia's invasion of 
Ukraine  by  …?  1.1  The  (NATIONALITY)  government;  1.2  The  European  Union

7 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  21  EU  Member  States 
are satisfied with  the way the EU  has responded to 
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, and in ten countries 
at least six in ten are satisfied. 

Satisfaction  is  highest  amongst  respondents  in  Portugal 
(80%), Poland (75%) and Denmark (74%), but a majority in 
Latvia (47% satisfied vs 44% not satisfied), Bulgaria (48% 

vs 46%) and Czechia (49% vs 48%) are also satisfied with 
the EU’s response. 

In  the  remaining  six  countries  a  minority  say  they  are 
satisfied: Cyprus (33% vs 59% not satisfied), Slovenia (41% 
vs  54%),  Estonia  (41%  vs  53%),  France  (43%  vs  46%), 
Greece (44% vs 50%) and Germany (48% vs 49%). 

Since  October-November  2023,  satisfaction  with  the 
response of the EU to the Russian invasion of Ukraine 
has declined in 15 EU Member States, with the largest 
drops  seen  in  Malta  (53%,  -11  percentage  points),  Latvia 
(47%, -8 pp) and Estonia (41%, -7 pp). On the other hand, 

satisfaction has increased in 11 countries including Greece 
(44%,  +8  pp),  Croatia  (65%,  +5  pp),  Italy  (57%,  +5  pp), 
Slovakia (56%, +5 pp) and Austria (55%, +5 pp). 

Satisfaction  is  now  the  majority  view  in  Czechia,  but  the 
minority view in Germany, Estonia and France. 

8 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

As  was  the  case  in  autumn  2023,  satisfaction  with 
the  national  government’s  response  to  the  Russian 
invasion of Ukraine varies dramatically, ranging from 
89% of respondents in Finland, 85% in Denmark and 78% 
in Sweden to 33% in Bulgaria, 34% in Cyprus and 37% in 
Greece. 

In 19 EU Member States a majority are satisfied with the 
response of the national government, and in the remaining 
eight countries only a minority are satisfied.  

Satisfaction  is  now  the  majority  view  in  Czechia,  but  the 
minority view in Germany, France and Italy.  

Compared to October-November 2023, satisfaction with 
the  response  of  the  national  government  to  the 
Russian  invasion  of  Ukraine  has  increased  in  16  EU 
Member States, with the largest observed in Poland (76%, 
+6 percentage  points),  Austria (55%, +6 pp), Latvia (61%,
+5  pp)  and  Czechia  (50%,  +5  pp).  In  contrast  satisfaction
has  declined  in  nine  countries,  and  particularly  in  France
(40%, -9 pp), Malta (55%, -6 pp) and the Netherlands (73%,
-5 pp).

9 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  a  majority 
of respondents in almost all groups say they are satisfied 
with  the  response  of  the  EU  and  of  their  national 
government to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

In  the  case  of  the  national  government’s  response, 
satisfaction is highest amongst those who completed their 
education aged 20 or older (57%), managers (60%), other 
white collar workers (58%), those who never or almost never 
have  trouble  paying  bills  (57%)  and  those  who  consider 
themselves to be part of the upper middle (64%) or upper 
class (79%). 

In contrast, dissatisfaction is the majority opinion amongst 
those who completed education aged 15 or younger (49% 
vs  45%  satisfied),  unemployed  persons  (60%),  those  who 
have difficulties paying bills most of the time (62%) or from 
time  to  time  (49%  vs  48%  satisfied),  and  those  who 
consider themselves to be part of the working (48% vs 47%) 
or lower middle class (49% vs 47%). 

10 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Satisfaction with the EU’s response to the invasion reflects 
a similar pattern, with the highest levels of satisfaction seen 
amongst  those  aged  15-24  (60%),  those  who  completed 
education aged 20 or older (59%), managers (63%), other 
white-collar workers (61%) and students (60%), those who 
never  or  almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  (58%) 
and those who consider themselves belonging to the upper 
middle (66%) or upper class (83%). 

In  contrast,  dissatisfaction  with  the  EU’s  response  is  the 
majority opinion amongst unemployed persons (54%), and 
those  who  have  difficulties  paying  bills  most  of  the  time 
(56%). 

Image of the EU also has an impact on opinion: respondents 
with a positive image of the EU are much more likely to be 
satisfied than those with a negative image (75% vs 23%). 

Finally, the analysis shows satisfaction with the response of 
the national government and the EU are linked: respondents 
who  are  satisfied  with  the  EU’s  response  are  much  more 
likely to also be satisfied with the response of their national 
government  (80%  vs  19%  who  are  not  satisfied  with  the 
EU’s response). 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

II. Action taken in 
response to the war in 
Ukraine 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Support for a range of actions taken in response to 
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has declined slightly for 
four  of  six actions  since  autumn  2023,  but  remains 
relatively high, especially when it comes to providing 
humanitarian support. 

Close  to  nine  in  ten  (87%,  -2  percentage  point  since 
October-November 
providing 
humanitarian support to the people affected by the 
war, and almost half (48%, -6 pp) “totally agree” with this 
action.9 Just over one in ten (11%, +3 pp) say they disagree. 

agree  with 

2023) 

“totally agree”. More than one quarter (27%, +3 pp) disagree 
with this action. 

Six in ten (no change) agree with financing the purchase 
and supply of military equipment to Ukraine including 
22% (-3 pp) who “totally agree”. More than one third (36%, 
+2 pp) disagree with this action.

Finally,  six  in  ten  (-1  pp)  agree  with  granting  candidate 
status  as  a  potential  Member  of  the  EU  to  Ukraine 
which includes 22% (-2 pp)  who “totally agree”. One third 
(+3 pp) disagree with this action.  

More  than  eight  in  ten  (83%,  -1  pp)  also  agree  with 
welcoming  into  the  EU  people  fleeing  the  war,  with 
40% (-5 pp) totally agreeing. More than one in ten (15%, +2 
pp) say they disagree with this action. 

More than seven in ten respondents (72%, no change) agree 
with 
imposing  economic  sanctions  on  Russian 
government, companies and individuals, with 36% (-1 
pp) totally agreeing. In contrast more than one in five (23%, 
+2 pp) disagree.

Seven in ten respondents agree with providing financial 
support to Ukraine (-2 pp), with 26% (-5 pp) saying they 

9  QD2.  The  EU  has  taken  a  series  of  actions  as  a  response  to  Russia's  invasion  of 
Ukraine. To what extent you agree or disagree with each of these actions taken. 2.1 
Imposing economic sanctions on Russian government, companies and individuals; 2.2 
Financing  the  purchase  and  supply  of  military  equipment  to  Ukraine;  2.3  Providing 

humanitarian support to the people affected by the war; 2.4 Welcoming into the EU 
people  fleeing  the  war;  2.5  Providing  financial  support  to  Ukraine;  2.6  Granting 
candidate status as a potential Member of the EU to Ukraine. 

13 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More  than  seven  in  ten  in  each  EU  Member  State 
agree  with  providing  humanitarian  support  to  the 
people  affected  by  the  war,  and  in  13  countries  at 
least nine in ten agree.  

Support  is  almost  universal  in  Finland  and  Sweden  (97%) 
and is also high in the Netherlands and Portugal (94% each). 
At  the  other  end  of  the  scale  74%  in  Romania,  80%  in 

Romania  is  the  only  country  where  at  least  one  in  five 
disagrees (24%). 

Bulgaria and 84% in Italy and Czechia also agree. 

Compared  to  October-November  2023,  agreement  has 
declined in 16 countries, with the largest observed in Poland 
(87%,  -6  percentage  points).  In  contrast  agreement  has 
increased in nine countries, most notably in Slovakia (87%, 
+5 pp).

14 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More than six in ten respondents in each EU Member 
State  agree  with  welcoming  into  the  EU  people 
fleeing the war. Agreement is almost universal amongst 
those in Denmark, Sweden (97% each) and Finland (96%) 
and  is  also  the  majority  view  amongst  respondents  in 
Bulgaria (64%), Czechia (65%) and Romania (72%).  

In  five  countries  at  least  one  in  five  disagrees:  Czechia 
(33%), Bulgaria (30%), Romania (26%), Austria (24%) and 
Hungary (20%). 

Changes since October-November 2023 are generally small. 
In 13 countries respondents are now less likely to agree with 
welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war, although the 
largest  decline  is  four  percentage  points:  the  Netherlands 
(93%, -4 pp), Lithuania (89%, -4 pp) and Cyprus (82%, -4 
pp).  In  contrast,  agreement  has  increased  in  12  countries 
including Slovakia (83%, +6 pp) and Estonia (82%, +5 pp).  

15 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More than half of all respondents in 26 EU Member 
States  agree  with  providing  financial  support  to 
Ukraine,  although  levels  of  support  vary  from  95%  in 
Sweden,  94%  in  Finland  and  91%  in  Denmark  to  52%  in 
Czechia, 56% in Hungary and 57% in Slovakia.  

Opinion in divided in Bulgaria (47% agree vs 47% disagree). 

In  12  countries  more  than  three  in  ten  disagree,  with 
disagreement  particularly  high  amongst  respondents  in 
Bulgaria (47%), Czechia (46%), Hungary (41%) as well as 
Slovenia and Slovakia (40% each). 

In  sharp  contrast,  more  than  half  of  all  respondents  in 
Sweden (67%), Denmark (62%) and Finland (54%) “totally 
agree” with providing financial support to Ukraine. 

Agreement  with  providing  financial  support  to 
Ukraine  has  declined  in  17  countries  since  October-
November 2023, with the largest seen in Poland (77%, -7 
percentage points), Luxembourg (69%, -7 pp), Croatia (76%, 
-6  pp)  and  France  (58%,  -6  pp).  In  contrast,  levels  of
agreement  have  increased  in  seven  countries  including
Slovakia (57%, +7 pp), Cyprus (62%, +5  pp) and Romania
(61%, +5 pp).

Agreement is now the majority view in Czechia. 

16 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Although a majority in 26 EU Member States support 
imposing economic sanctions on Russian government, 
companies and individuals, levels of agreement vary 
considerably between countries. The strongest support 
is found amongst those in Sweden (95%), Portugal (91%) 
and Denmark (90%), compared to 46% in Bulgaria (vs 44% 
disagree), 54% in Slovenia and 56% in Greece. 

In Cyprus the majority disagrees (54%). 

The  evolutions  since  October-November  2023  are  mixed. 
Levels  of  agreement  have  decreased  in  14  countries 
including  Croatia  (75%,  -5  percentage  points)  and  France 
(62%, -5 pp). In contrast, agreement has increased in eight 
countries including Slovakia (59%, +9 pp), Cyprus (40%, +9 
pp) and Romania (70%, +7 pp).  

17 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Support  for  financing  the  purchase  and  supply  of 
military equipment to Ukraine varies notably across EU 
Member States. In 19 countries a majority agrees with this 
action, although support ranges from 93% of respondents 
in Sweden, 91% in Denmark and 86% in Finland to 49% in 
Austria  (vs  48%  disagree)  and  Czechia  (vs  48%  disagree) 
and 53% in France. 

In the remaining eight countries only a minority agrees, with 
the  lowest  levels  seen  in  Cyprus  (32%  vs  65%  disagree), 
Bulgaria (32% vs 62%) and Slovenia (38% vs 59%). 

Agreement is now the view of the majority in Czechia and 
Austria, but the minority view in Italy and Malta. 

In  15  EU  Member  States  agreement  with  financing  the 
purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine has 
increased  since  October-November  2023,  and  this  is 
particularly  the  case  in  Denmark  (91%,  +8  percentage 
points), Romania  (56%, +7  pp) and Czechia (49%, +7  pp). 
Conversely,  agreement  has  declined  in  12  countries,  with 
the drop seen in Malta (48%, -13 pp) notably larger than in 
other countries, including Slovenia (38%, -8 pp) and Poland 
(79%, -6 pp).  

18 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

In  23  EU  Member  States  a  majority  of  respondents 
agree  with  the  EU  granting  candidate  status  to 
Ukraine. Support is the strongest amongst those in Sweden 
(87%), Portugal (83%) and Denmark (78%), but is also the 
view of the majority in Slovenia and Greece (50% each). 

In  the  remaining  four  countries  only  a  minority  agrees: 
Czechia  (37%  vs  57%  disagree),  Hungary  (42%  vs  52%), 
Cyprus (42% vs 52%) and Bulgaria (43% vs 46%).  

Changes in agreement since October-November 2023 have 
generally been small. Levels of agreement have decreased 
in 16 EU Member States, although the largest decline is four 
percentage points: Malta (54%, -4 pp) and Cyprus (42%, -4 
pp). In contrast agreement has increased in eight countries 
including Romania (60%, +7 pp), Sweden (87%, +5 pp) and 
Slovakia (51%, +5 pp).  

Agreement is now the minority view in Bulgaria and Cyprus. 

19 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The socio-demographic analysis highlights that in almost 
all groups a majority supports each of the actions taken by 
the EU in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

There  are  no  differences  based  on  gender,  and  for  most 
statements  there  are  no  significant  differences  based  on 
age.  

The  longer  a  respondent  remained  in  education,  the  more 
likely  they  are  to  agree  with  each  action,  with  the  largest 
differences  generally  seen  between  those  who  finished 
education  aged  20  or  older  and  those  who  completed  it 
aged  19  or  younger.  For  instance,  77%  of  those  who 
completed education aged 20 or older agree with imposing 
economic sanctions on Russian government, companies and 
individuals,  compared  to  67%  who  completed  aged  15  or 
younger. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Analysis of socio-professional groups shows that managers 
and students are consistently the most likely to agree with 
each statement, whilst the unemployed are consistently the 
least  likely  to  do  so.  For  example,  88%  of  managers  and 
students  agree  with  welcoming  into  the  EU  people 
fleeing the war, compared to 76% of unemployed persons. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Opinion  also  varies  according  to  the  financial  situation  of 
respondents. The analysis shows that the fewer difficulties 
a  respondent  has  paying  bills  the  more  likely  they  are  to 
agree with each statement. For example, 64% who never or 
almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  agree  with 
financing the supply of military equipment to Ukraine 
compared to 47% who have difficulties most of the time. 

22 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Although  a  majority  of  respondents  in  each  social  class 
agree with each statement, those  who  see themselves as 
part of the upper middle or upper class are more likely to do 
so  than  those  who  consider  themselves  belonging  to  the 
lower classes on the social staircase. For example, 77% of 
those  who  consider  themselves  upper  class  agree  with 
granting candidate status as a potential Member of 
the  EU  to  Ukraine,  compared  to  55%  who  consider 
themselves  as  working  class.  It  can  also  be  noted  that 
respondents aged 15-39 are more likely than those aged 40 
and older to agree with this statement. 

23 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Finally, a respondents’ image of the EU is also influential. 
Those who have a positive image of the EU are much more 
likely  to  support  each  of  these  actions  than  those  with  a 
negative  view.  For  example,  84%  of  those  with  a  positive 
image of the EU agree with providing financial support 
to  Ukraine,  compared  to  42%  of  those  with  a  negative 
image of the EU. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Three quarters of EU citizens agree that by standing 
against  Russia’s  invasion  of  Ukraine,  the  EU  is 
defending European values. 

A  large  majority  of  respondents  (75%,  no  change  since 
October-November  2023)  agree  that  by  standing  against 
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU is defending European 
values, with 33% (-2 pp) totally agreeing.10 Just over one in 
five  (21%,  +2  pp)  disagree,  with  7%  (+1  pp)  saying  they 
“totally disagree”. 

In  every  EU  Member  State  a  majority  agrees  that  by 
standing  against  Russia’s  invasion  of  Ukraine,  the  EU  is 
defending European values. Proportions vary from at least 
nine in ten in Finland, Sweden (94% each), Denmark (93%) 
and Portugal (90%) to 56% in Cyprus and Bulgaria and 60% 
in Hungary. 

10 QD3.3. Please tell to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following 
statements.  By  standing  against  Russia’s  invasion  of  Ukraine,  the  EU  is  defending 
European values 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Changes  in  agreement  compared  to  October-November 
2023 are generally small. The exception is Malta, where the 
level of agreement has decreased by 10 percentage points 
(61%).  Overall,  agreement  has  increased  in  13  countries, 
although Romania (72%, +7 pp) and Cyprus (56%, +5 pp) 
are  the  only  countries  where  the  increase  is  at  least  five 
points.  

Levels of agreement have declined in 12 countries including 
Malta.  

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More than six in ten respondents in each socio-demographic 
group  agree  that  by  standing  against  Russia’s  invasion  of 
Ukraine, the EU is  defending European  values. The socio-
demographic  analysis  shows  no  differences  based  on 
gender or age but does highlight that agreement increases 
the longer a respondent remained in education. For instance, 
80% who completed their education aged 20 or older agree 
compared  to  69%  who  completed  theirs  aged  15  or 
younger. 

The  analysis  also  reveals  that  managers  (81%)  and 
students  (80%)  are  the  socio-professional  groups  most 
likely  to  agree,  particularly  compared  to  the  unemployed 
(62%). It also shows that the fewer difficulties a respondent 
has paying bills, the more likely they are to agree: 78% of 
respondents  who  never  or  almost  never  have  these 
difficulties  agree,  compared  to  63%  who  have  difficulties 
paying bills most of the time.  

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

III. Consequences of
the war in Ukraine

28 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The majority of Europeans continue to think the war 
has serious economic consequences for their country, 
and  serious  financial  consequences  for  them 
personally. 

More  than  eight  in  ten  respondents  (81%,  -2  percentage 

More than half (56%, -2 pp) agree that the war in Ukraine 
has  serious  financial  consequences  for  them 
personally, including 18% (no change) who “totally agree”. 
This  is  the  third  consecutive  drop  in  agreement  since 
January-February 2023. Just over four in ten respondents 
(41%, +1 pp) disagree, with 13% (+1 pp) totally disagreeing. 

points  since  October-November  2023)  agree  the  war  in 
Ukraine has serious economic consequences for their 
country,  with  34%  (-1  pp)  saying  they  “totally  agree”.  11 
More than one in ten (16%, +2 pp) disagree, while 3% (no 
change) say they don’t know. 

Fewer than one in twenty (3%, +1 pp) say they don’t know. 

11 QD4. Thinking about the consequences of the war in Ukraine, please tell to what 
extent you agree or disagree with the following statements? 4.1 The war in Ukraine 

has  serious  financial  consequences  for  you  personally;  4.2  The  war  in  Ukraine  has 
serious economic consequences for (OUR COUNTRY). 

29 

Standard Eurobarometer 100 
Autumn 2023 

Although a majority of respondents in 17 EU Member 
States  agree  that  the  war  in  Ukraine  has  serious 
financial  consequences  for  them  personally,  levels 
vary considerably: from 88% in Portugal and 84% in Greece 
and  Cyprus  to  50%  in  Estonia  and  51%  in  Bulgaria  and 
France.  In  the  remaining  ten  countries  only  a  minority 
agrees,  with 
levels  observed  amongst 
respondents  in  the  Netherlands  (26%),  Finland  (30%)  and 
Denmark (31%). 

lowest 

the 

Agreement  is  now  the  minority  view  in  Luxembourg, 
Slovenia and Malta. 

In 22 EU Member States respondents are now less likely to 
agree  that  the  war  in  Ukraine  has  serious  financial 
consequences  for  them  personally  than  they  were  in 
October-November 2023. The decline seen in Malta (44%, 
-21  percentage  points)  is  considerably  larger  than  that
observed in other countries, although the decline in Slovenia
is greater than ten points (40%, -11 pp). In the remaining
five  countries  agreement  levels  have  increased,  with  the
largest seen in Germany (47%, +5 pp).

30 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

 More than six in ten respondents in each EU Member State 
agree  that  the  war  in  Ukraine  has  serious  economic 
consequences  for  their  country,  although  levels  range 
from 92% in Greece, 90% in Cyprus and 88% in Portugal to 
62% in the Netherlands, 63% in  Luxembourg and 69% in 
Romania. 

Agreement  that  the  war  in  Ukraine  has  serious  economic 
consequences  for  their  country  has  declined  amongst 
respondents in 17 EU Member States, with the largest seen 
in the Netherlands (62%, -10 percentage points), Slovenia 
(73%,  -6  pp)  and  Luxembourg  (63%,  -6  pp).  In  contrast 
levels  of  agreement  have  increased  in  seven  countries 
including Ireland (86%, +5 pp) and Denmark (72%, +5 pp). 

31 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The socio-demographic analysis illustrates that in every 
group  more  than  seven  in  ten  agree  that  the  war  in 
Ukraine has serious economic consequences for their 
country, and there is little variation between groups. 

There are larger differences in agreement that the war in 
Ukraine has serious personal financial consequences, 
although in almost all groups a majority agrees. The highest 
levels of agreement are found amongst those aged 40-54 
(60%), those who completed education aged 19 or younger 
(61%),  the  unemployed  and  manual  workers  (63%  each), 

housepersons  (62%),  other  white  collar  workers  (61%), 
those  who  have  difficulties  paying  bills  most  of  the  time 
(75%) or from time to time (67%), and those who consider 
themselves as belonging to the working class (65%) or the 
lower middle class (60%). 

In  contrast,  only  a  minority  of  managers  (47%  vs  51% 
disagree) and those who consider themselves belonging to 
the  upper  middle  (41%  vs  58%)  or  upper  class  (46%  vs 
50%)  agree  the  war  has  had  serious  personal  financial 
consequences.

32 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

IV. European security
under threat

33 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

At  least  three  quarters  agree  that  the  invasion  of 
Ukraine is a threat to both national and EU security. 

Almost eight in ten respondents (79%, +1 percentage point 
since October-November 2023) agree that Russia’s invasion 
of  Ukraine  is  a  threat  to  the  security  of  the  EU,  including 
40% (+1 pp) who say they “totally agree”.12 Almost one in 

five  (18%,  no  change)  disagree.  Three  quarters  (+2  pp) 
agree  that  Russia’s  invasion  of  Ukraine  is  a  threat  to  the 
security  of  their  country,  with  35%  (+1  pp)  saying  they 
“totally agree”. Just over one in five (22%, -1 pp) disagree.

12 QD3. Please tell to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following 
statements.   3.1 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of the EU; 3.2 
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of (OUR COUNTRY).  

34 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The majority of respondents in each EU Member State 
agree that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to 
the security of the EU. At least nine in ten respondents in 
Denmark,  Finland  and  Sweden  (93%  each)  and  Portugal 

(90%) agree, as do 58% in Cyprus, 61% in Bulgaria and 62% 
in Hungary. 

Agreement  that  Russia’s  invasion  of  Ukraine  is  a 
threat to the security of the EU has increased in 17 
countries  since  October-November  2023,  with  the 
largest seen in Cyprus (58%, +8 percentage points), France 
(77%, +7 pp), Austria (73%, +7 pp) and Belgium (83%, +6 
pp). In contrast agreement  has  declined in eight  countries 
including Spain (81%, -4 pp)  

35 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

In 26 Member States a majority of respondents agree 
that  Russia's  invasion  of  Ukraine  is  a  threat  to  the 
security of their country. Agreement is most widespread 
amongst  respondents  in  Poland,  Finland  (89%  each)  and 
Denmark  and  Sweden  (88%  each),  although  58%  in 
Bulgaria, 61% in Hungary and 62% in Malta also agree. 

In Cyprus only a minority agrees (45% vs 54% disagree). 

Since  October-November  2023,  agreement  that  Russia's 
invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of their country 
has  increased  in  17  countries,  and  particularly  in  Belgium 
(75%, +9 pp), France (71%, +9 pp) and Cyprus (45%, +9 pp). 
In  contrast,  agreement  has  declined  in  seven  countries 
including Malta (62%, -7 pp). 

36 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The socio-demographic  analysis illustrates a high level 
of agreement across groups: in each case more than six in 
ten respondents in each group agree with each statement. 
The  results  do  not  show  any  notable  difference  based  on 
age or gender but they do illustrate other variations. 

Respondents  who  completed  their  education  aged  20  or 
older (83%) are more likely than those who finished theirs 
at a younger age to agree the invasion is a threat to the 
security of the EU.  

The  results  also  illustrate  that  the  fewer  difficulties  a 
respondent  has  paying  bills,  the  more  likely  they  are  to 
agree with each statement. For example, 77% who never or 
almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  agree  the 
invasion  is  a  threat  to  the  security  of  their  country, 
compared to 70% who have difficulties paying bills most of 
the time. 

37 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

V. Future EU
action in the wake
of the war

38 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

1. Defence co-operation in the EU

Support  for  defence  co-operation  and  increased 
defence  spending  has  risen  slightly  since  autumn 
2023. 

defence  matters  at  EU  level  should  be  increased, 
including  37%  (-1  pp)  who  say  they  “totally  agree”.  In 
contrast, more than one in ten (15%, +1 pp) disagrees. 

Respondents were asked the extent to which they agree or 
disagree with four statements about defence co-operation 
in the EU.13  

Eight  in  ten  respondents  (+3  percentage  points  since 
October-November  2023)  agree  that  Member  States’ 
purchase  of  military  equipment  should  be  better 
coordinated, with 38% (+1 pp) saying they “totally agree”. 
Just over one in ten (13%, no change) say they disagree. 

More  than  seven  in  ten  (71%,  +2  pp)  agree  that  the  EU 
needs  to  reinforce  its  capacity  to  produce  military 
equipment, with 31% (+1 pp) saying they “totally agree”. 
Just over one in five (22%, no change) say they disagree.  

Two  thirds  (+1  pp)  agree  that  more  money  should  be 
spent on defence in the EU, including 26% (-2 pp) who 
“totally agree”. Conversely almost three in ten (28%, +2 pp) 
disagree with this statement. 

Eight  in  ten  respondents  (+1  percentage  point  since 
October-November 2023) also agree that co-operation in 

13 QD3. Please tell to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following 
statements. 3.4 Co-operation in defence matters at EU level should be increased; 3.5 
More money should be spent on defence in the EU; 3.6 Member States’ purchase of 

military  equipment  should  be  better  coordinated;  3.7  The  EU  needs  to  reinforce  its 
capacity to produce military equipment 

39 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More  than  two  thirds  of  respondents  in  each  EU 
Member  State  agree  that  co-operation  in  defence 
matters  at  EU  level  should  be  increased.  Support  is 
strongest amongst those in the Netherlands, Finland (92% 
each) and Lithuania (90%), although 69% in Slovakia and 
Bulgaria and 70% in Romania also agree. 

In  five  countries  at  least  one  in  five  disagree  that  co-
operation  should  be  increased:  Slovenia,  Romania  (26% 
each), Slovakia (24%), Italy (22%) and Bulgaria (20%). 

Since  October-November  2023,  agreement  that  co-
operation  in  defence  matters  at  EU  level  should  be 
increased has risen in 17 countries including Denmark (89%, 
+6 pp) and Greece (84%, +6 pp). In contrast it has declined
in six EU Member States, with the largest seen in Portugal
(77%, -13 pp) and Sweden (82%, -6 pp).

40 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

A majority of respondents in every EU Member State 
agree that more money should be spent on defence in 
the EU, although levels range from 84% in Poland, 82% in 
the Netherlands and  78% in Denmark to 47% in  Bulgaria 
(vs 40% disagree), 51% in Slovenia and 55% in Slovakia. 

At a national level, the evolutions since October-November 
2023 are mixed. In 19 EU Member States respondents are 
now more likely to agree that more money should be spent 
on  defence  in  the  EU,  and  this  is  particularly  the  case  in 
Denmark (78%, +12 percentage points) and the Netherlands 
(82%, +11 pp).  

In contrast agreement has declined in six countries including 
Bulgaria (47%, -6 pp).  

Agreement is now the majority opinion in Slovenia. 

41 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

At  least  seven  in  ten  respondents  in  each  country 
agree  that  Member  States’  purchase  of  military 
equipment should be better coordinated. At least nine 
in ten in the Netherlands (91%) and Denmark (90%), as well 

as 86% in Cyprus agree, as do 70% in Bulgaria and 72% in 
Romania and Austria. 

Agreement  that  Member  States’  purchase  of  military 
equipment should be better coordinated has increased in 19 
EU Member States since October-November 2023, with the 
largest seen in Denmark (90%, +9 pp), Malta (79%, +7 pp) 
and  the  Netherlands  (91%,  +7  pp).  In  contrast  levels  of 
agreement have declined in six countries, with the decline in 
Portugal (77%, -11 pp) being much larger than that seen in 
other countries. 

42 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More than half of all respondents in each EU Member 
State  agree  that  the  EU  needs  to  reinforce  its 
capacity  to  produce  military  equipment,  although 
support  varies  notably  between  countries.  Levels  of 
agreement range from 87% in Denmark, 86% in Poland and 
84% in Lithuania and the Netherlands to 52% in Slovakia, 
53% in Bulgaria and 57% in Slovenia and Malta. 

In  17 countries respondents  are now  more likely to agree 
than they were in October-November 2023, with the largest 
increases  seen  in  Denmark  (87%,  +15  percentage  points) 
and Sweden (76%, +10 pp). 

In five countries respondents are now less likely to agree, 
is 
although  the  decline 
considerably larger than that seen in other countries. 

in  Portugal  (70%,  -16  pp) 

43 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Looking at agreement across each of the four statements, 
the  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  no  notable 
differences in opinion between age groups. However, it does 
show that men are more likely to agree with each statement 
than women, and in particular that more money should be 
spent on defence in the EU (70% vs 63%) and that the 
EU needs to reinforce its capacity to produce military 
equipment (75% vs 68%). 

The  analysis  also  illustrates  that  the  longer  a  respondent 
remained  in  education,  the  more  likely  they  are  to  agree 
with  each  statement.  For  example,  70%  who  completed 
education aged 20 or older agree more money should be 
spend  on  defence  in  the  EU,  compared  to  59%  who 
completed education aged 15 or younger. 

44 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

45 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

Across socio-professional groups managers are consistently 
the  most  likely  to  agree  with  each  statement  while  the 
unemployed and housepersons are generally the least likely 
to  do  so.  For  example,  84%  of  managers  agree  co-
operation  in  defence  matters  at  EU  level  should  be 
increased, compared to 73% of unemployed persons and 
75% of housepersons. 

46 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

2. Energy Security in the EU

Substantial  majorities  remain  in  agreement  with  a 
range of EU energy policy directions, with little or no 
change since October-November 2023. 

Respondents were asked the extent to which they agreed or 
disagreed with a range of potential directions for EU energy 
policies.14  Strong  support  remains  for  each  direction,  with 
more  than  three  quarters  agreeing  with  each  individual 
statement. 

More  than  eight  in  ten  (83%,  no  change  since  October-
November  2023)  agree  that  the  EU  should  invest 
massively  in  renewable  energies,  such  as  wind  and 
solar power, including 45% (-2 pp) who say they “totally 
agree”. Just over one in ten (13%, +1 pp) disagree. 

The same proportion (83%,  +1  pp) agree that increasing 
energy  efficiency  of  buildings,  transport  and  goods 
will make the EU less dependent on energy producers 
outside  the  EU,  with  40%  (-2  pp)  saying  they  “totally 
agree”. In  contrast,  just  over  one  in  ten  (12%,  no  change) 
disagrees.  

Just over eight in ten (81%, no change) agree that reducing 
imports  of  oil  and  gas  and  investing  in  renewable 
energy  is  important  for  our  overall  security,  which 

includes 38% (-3 pp) who “totally agree”. More than one in 
ten say they disagree (14%, +1 pp).  

More than eight in ten (81%, no change) also agree that the 
EU should reduce its dependency on Russian sources 
of energy as soon as possible, with 44% (-3 pp) saying 
they  “totally  agree”  with  this  statement.  In  contrast  more 
than one in ten (14%, +1 pp) disagrees. 

Almost  eight  in  ten  (79%,  -1  pp)  agree  that  EU  Member 
States should jointly buy energy from other countries 
to get a better price, including 37% (-3 pp) who “totally 
agree”. More than one in ten (15%, +2 pp) say they disagree. 

More than three quarters of respondents (78%, no change) 
agree that in the long run, renewable energy can limit 
the price they pay for their energy consumption, with 
35%  (-4  pp)  in  total  agreement.  In  contrast  15%  (+1  pp) 
disagree with this statement.  

Finally,  more  than  three  quarters  of  respondents  have 
recently  taken  action  to  reduce  their  own  energy 
consumption or plan to do so in the near future (78%, 
no change), including 34% (-4 pp) who “totally agree” with 
this statement. In contrast, almost one in five (19%, +1 pp) 
disagree. 

14 QD3. Please tell to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following 
statements. 3.8 The EU should reduce its dependency on Russian sources of energy 
as soon as possible; 3.9 The EU should invest massively in renewable energies, such 
as wind and solar power; 3.10 In the long run, renewable energy can limit the price 
we pay for our energy consumption; 3.11 Increasing energy efficiency of buildings, 

transport, and goods will make us less dependent on energy producers outside the 
EU;  3.12  Reducing  imports  of  oil  and  gas  and  investing  in  renewable  energy  is 
important for our overall security; 3.13 EU Member States should jointly buy energy 
from  other  countries  to  get  a  better  price;  3.14  You  have  recently  taken  action  to 
reduce your own energy consumption or you plan to do so in the near future. 

47 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

In every EU Member State, a majority of respondents agree 
that the EU should reduce its dependency on Russian 
sources  of  energy  as  soon  as  possible,  and  in  19 
Member States at least three quarters agree. At least nine 
in ten in Denmark and Sweden (96% each), Finland  

(94%) as well as the Netherlands and Portugal (91% each) 
agree, as do 58% in Bulgaria, 62% in Slovakia and 66% in 
Cyprus. 

Changes  in  agreement  since  October-November  2023  are 
generally  small.  Levels  of  agreement  have  declined  in  12 
countries  overall  although  by  less  than  five  percentage 
points in each case. In contrast agreement has increased in 
12 countries, with the largest observed in Slovakia (62%, +6 
pp) and Denmark (96%, +5 pp).  

48 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

At  least  two  thirds  of  respondents  in  each  Member  State 
agree  that  the  EU  should 
in 
renewable  energies,  such  as  wind  and  solar  power 
with proportions ranging from 95% of those in Denmark and 
Malta and 93% in Cyprus and Portugal to 66% in Latvia and 
Bulgaria. 
69% 
Estonia 

invest  massively 

and 

in 

in  13  countries 

invest  massively 

Agreement  that  the  EU  should 
in 
renewable  energies,  such  as  wind  and  solar  power  has 
declined 
including  Latvia  (66%,  -7 
percentage points). In contrast agreement has increased in 
13  EU  Member  States  since  October-November  2023, 
although  in  all  cases  the  increases  are  four  percentage 
points or less. 

49 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

At least six in ten respondents in each country agree that in 
the long run, renewable energy can limit the price we 
pay for our energy consumption. Agreement is strongest 
in  Malta  (94%),  Portugal  (90%)  as  well  as  Croatia  and 
Cyprus  (88%  each),  with  60%  in  Estonia,  63%  in  Czechia 
and 66% in Bulgaria also agreeing. 

In 18 countries, agreement that in the long run, renewable 
energy  can  limit  the  price  we  pay  for  our  energy 
consumption  has  increased,  with  the  largest  seen  in 
Portugal (90%, +8 pp) and Malta (94%, +5 pp). In contrast 
agreement has declined in eight countries although in each 
case by no more than three points.  

50 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

In  every  EU  Member  State  more  than  two  thirds  of 
respondents agree that increasing energy efficiency of 
buildings,  transport,  and  goods  will  make  us  less 
dependent  on  energy  producers  outside  the  EU. 
Agreement  is  most  widespread  amongst  respondents  in 
Sweden (92%) and Denmark, the Netherlands and Portugal 
(91%  each),  although  68%  in  Latvia,  69%  in  Czechia  and 
71% in Estonia also agree. 

At the national level, changes in agreement since October-
November 2023 have been small, with Denmark (91%, +5 
percentage  points),  Estonia  (71%,  +5  pp)  and  Romania 
(77%,  +5  pp)  the  only  countries  where  the  level  of 
agreement has changed by at least five percentage points. 
Agreement  has  increased  in  14  countries,  declined  in  11, 
and remained stable in Germany and Slovenia. 

51 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

A least six in ten respondents in each Member State agree 
that reducing imports of oil and gas and investing in 
renewable  energy  is  important  for  our  overall 
security,  with  the  most  widespread  agreement  seen  in 
Sweden  (95%),  Denmark  (93%)  as  well  as  Malta  and 
Portugal (91% each). A majority in Estonia (60%), Czechia 
(64%) and Bulgaria (65%) also agree. 

Changes  in  opinion  since  October-November  2023  are 
generally  small  (1-4  percentage  points).  Agreement  has 
increased  in  13  countries  including  Denmark  (93%,  +5 
percentage points) and Greece (87%, +5 pp). In contrast it 
has declined in ten countries including Spain (84%, -5 pp) 
and Latvia (67%, -5 pp).  

52 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

More  than  two  thirds  of  all  respondents  in  each  country 
agree that EU Member States should jointly buy energy 
from  other  countries  to  get  a  better  price,  with  the 
highest  levels  of  agreement  observed  in  Portugal  (92%), 
Malta  (89%)  and  Cyprus  (88%).  More  than  six  in  ten  in 
Bulgaria  (67%),  Czechia  (68%)  and  Romania  (69%)  also 
agree. 

In  three  countries  at  least  half  say  they  “totally  agree”: 
Cyprus (60%), Malta (55%) and Spain (52%). This compares 
to 24% in Romania who think the same way. 

National  changes  since  October-November  2023  are 
generally minor. Levels of agreement have increased in 12 
countries  with  the  largest  seen  in  Cyprus  (88%,  +6 
percentage  points).  In  contrast  agreement  has  declined  in 
14  countries  including  Poland  (79%,  -7  pp)  and  Czechia 
(68%, -5 pp) and has remained the same in Ireland. 

53 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

A  majority  in  each  EU  Member  State  say  they  have 
recently  taken  action  to  reduce  their  own  energy 
consumption  or  plan  to  do  so  in  the  near  future, 
proportions range from 86% in the Netherlands and 84% in 
Luxembourg and Finland to 58% in Bulgaria, 68% in Latvia 
and 70% in Lithuania. 

In 13 countries respondents are now more likely than they 
were in October-November 2023 to agree they have or plan 
to take action to reduce their energy consumption, with the 
largest  increases  seen  in  Romania  (72%,  +10  percentage 
points), Malta (82%, +6 pp) and Cyprus (82%, +5 pp). On the 
other  hand,  agreement  has  declined  in  ten  countries 
including Sweden (74%, -6 pp) and Poland (71%, -5 pp).  

54 

Standard Eurobarometer 101 
Spring 2024 

The socio-demographic  analysis illustrates a high level 
of agreement across all socio-demographic groups: for each 
statement at least seven in ten respondents in each group 
agrees. 

There is no notable difference in opinion based on gender, 
but the analysis does show that the younger the respondent, 
the more likely they are to agree that the EU should invest 
massively  in  renewable  energies,  such  as  wind  and  solar 
power; that in the long run, renewable energy can limit the 
price  we  pay  for  our  energy  consumption;  that  increasing 
energy  efficiency  of  buildings,  transport,  and  goods  will 
make  us  less  dependent  on  energy  producers  outside  the 
EU; or that reducing imports of oil and gas and investing in 
renewable energy is important for our overall security. For 
example, 83% of 15-24 year olds agree that in the long run, 
renewable energy can limit the price we pay for our energy 
consumption, compared to 76% of those aged 55 and older. 

There is also a consistent trend based on education levels: 
the  longer  a  respondent  remained  in  education,  the  more 
likely they are to agree with each statement. For instance, 
82% who completed education aged 20 or older agree they 
have  recently  taken  action  to  reduce  their  own  energy 
consumption  or  they  plan  to  do  so  in  the  near  future, 
compared  to  71%  of  those  who  completed  age  15  or 
younger.  The  analysis  also  shows  that  across  socio-
professional  categories  managers,  other  white  collar 
workers  and  students  are  consistently  amongst  the  most 
likely to agree, while the unemployed and housepersons are 
consistently amongst the least likely to do so. 

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The  fewer  difficulties  a  respondent  has  paying  bills,  the 
more  likely  they  are  to  agree  with  each  statement.  For 
example,  84%  of  those  who  never  or  almost  never  have 
difficulties  paying  bills  agree  the  EU  should  reduce  its 
dependency  on  Russian  sources  of  energy  as  soon  as 
possible,  compared  to  75%  who  have  difficulties  most  of 
the time. 

Respondents who consider they belong to the upper middle 
or  upper  class  are  the  most  likely  to  agree  with  each 
statement, while those who consider themselves to be part 
of the working or lower middle class are the least likely to 
agree. 

Finally, respondents who have a  positive image of the EU 
are  much  more  likely  to  agree  with  each  statement  than 
those  who  have  a  negative  image.  For  instance,  91%  of 
those  with  a  positive  image  of  the  EU  agree  increasing 
energy  efficiency  of  buildings,  transport,  and  goods  will 
make  us  less  dependent  on  energy  producers  outside  the 
EU, compared to 68% of those with a negative image. 

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Conclusion 

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The  results  from  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  101 
conducted  in  April-May  2024  show  that  a  majority  of 
citizens continue to be satisfied with the response of the EU 
and  their  national  government  to  the  Russian  invasion  of 
Ukraine,  although  satisfaction  has  fallen  slightly  since 
October-November  2023. There 
is  also  considerable 
national variation in satisfaction. The majority in 21 Member 
States  are  satisfied  with  the  EU’s  response,  although 
satisfaction  has  declined  in  15  countries.  In  Cyprus, 
Slovenia,  Estonia,  France,  Greece  and  Germany  majorities 
are  dissatisfied  with  the  EU’s  response  to  the  invasion.  In 
contrast,  satisfaction  with  the  response  of  the  national 
government  has  increased  in  16  Member  States  since 
October-November 2023.  

Europeans’  satisfaction  with  some  aspects  of  the  EU’s 
response to the invasion of Ukraine has continued to decline, 
in a trend first noted in January-February 2023. Comparison 
between the most recent edition of the survey to the results 
from October-November 2023 shows that citizens are now 
less likely to agree with providing humanitarian support to 
people affected by the war, welcoming into the EU people 
fleeing  the  war,  providing  financial  support  to  Ukraine  or 
granting candidate status as a potential Member of the EU 
to Ukraine. However, in each case a majority still agrees. 

As  previously,  the  strongest  support  continues  to  be  for 
providing  humanitarian  support  to  the  people  affected  by 
the war and welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war, 
with more than eight in ten agreeing in each case. At least 
seven  in  ten  agree  with  imposing  economic  sanctions  on 
Russian  government,  companies  and  individuals  and  with 
providing financial support to Ukraine. 

At  least  six  in  ten  agree  with  financing  the  purchase  and 
supply  of  military  equipment  to  Ukraine  or  with  the  EU 
granting candidate status as a potential member of the EU 
to Ukraine. However, at least one third disagrees with each 
action,  with  disagreement 
increasing  since  October-
November  2023.  At  the  national  level,  consistently  strong 
support for the EU’s actions is seen in Sweden, Denmark and 
Portugal,  while  support  is  consistently  low  in  Czechia, 
Bulgaria and Hungary. 

Three quarters of Europeans agree that by standing against 
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU is defending European 
values, and a majority in every Member State agree.  

More than eight in ten Europeans agree the war in Ukraine 
has  serious  economic  consequences  for  their  country, 
although this proportion has declined slightly since October-
November 2023. At least six in ten in each Member State 
think this. 

The  proportion  agreeing  that  the  war  has  had  serious 
financial consequences for them personally has declined for 
the  second  consecutive  wave  of  the  survey,  but  still 

represents a majority. As was the case in October-November 
2023, there is substantial variation in the national results, 
ranging from more than eight in ten in Portugal, Cyprus and 
Greece  who  agree,  to  fewer  than  three  in  ten  in  the 
Netherlands.  The  proportion  agreeing  has  declined  in  22 
countries compared to October-November 2023. 

A large majority of Europeans see the invasion of Ukraine 
as a security threat, a result consistent with previous waves. 
Almost  eight  in  ten  agree  the  invasion  is  a  threat  to  the 
security of the EU, while three quarters think it is a threat to 
their  country’s  security.  Respondents  in  Sweden,  Finland, 
Denmark,  Portugal  and  Poland  are  the  most  likely  to 
consider  the  invasion  a  threat  to  both  EU  and  national 
security.  

Given the perceived security threat of the invasion, it is not 
surprising  the  current  survey  shows  continuing  strong 
support  for  defence  co-operation  and  increased  military 
spending. In fact, support for each of the four measures – 
and  particularly  better  co-ordination  of  the  purchase  of 
military equipment - has increased since October-November 
2023.   

Eight  in  ten  agree  Member  States’  purchase  of  military 
equipment  should  be  better  coordinated  and  that  co-
operation  in  defence  matters  at  EU  level  should  be 
increased. More than seven in ten respondents agree the EU 
its  capacity  to  produce  military 
needs  to  reinforce 
equipment,  and  two  thirds  agree  more  money  should  be 
spent  on  defence  in  the  EU.  Support  for  each  of  these 
measures is consistently high amongst respondents in the 
Netherlands,  Denmark,  Poland  and  Lithuania,  but 
consistently low amongst those in Slovakia and Bulgaria. 

The  invasion  of  Ukraine  continues  to  have  a  considerable 
impact on energy policy direction in the EU. More than three 
quarters  agree  with  a  range  of  policy  directions  resulting 
from the impacts of the invasion on energy security, with 
support remaining relatively stable since May-June 2023.  

More  than  eight  in  ten  agree  that  the  EU  should  invest 
massively  in  renewable  energies,  such  as  wind  and  solar 
power, while almost eight in ten agree that in the long run, 
renewable  energy  can  limit  the  price  they  pay  for  their 
energy  consumption.  These  policies  have  the  strongest 
support  in  Denmark,  Malta,  Portugal  and  Spain  and  the 
weakest support in Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Czechia.  

When it comes to energy security, at least eight in ten agree 
that increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, transport, 
and  goods  will  make  the  EU  less  dependent  on  energy 
producers outside the EU, that reducing imports of oil and 
gas  and  investing  in  renewable  energy  is  important  for 
overall  security  and  that  the  EU  should  reduce  its 
dependency  on  Russian  sources  of  energy  as  soon  as 
possible. Almost eight in ten agree that EU Member States 

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should  jointly  buy  energy  from  other  countries  to  get  a 
better  price.  These  policies  garner  consistently  strong 
support  in  Portugal,  but  consistently  weak  support  in 
Czechia, Bulgaria and Slovakia. 

Europeans are also willing to act at a personal level to save 
energy,  with  more  than  three  quarters  saying  they  have 
recently 
to  reduce  their  own  energy 
consumption or plan to do so in the near future. A majority 
in each Member State say they have or plan to take actions 
to save energy.  

taken  action 

The  socio-demographic  results  from  the  current  wave  are 
consistent with those from previous surveys. There is little 
variation in opinion based on age or gender, but education 
levels and financial situation have an impact. Respondents 
who completed education at younger ages and those who 
experience greater difficulties paying bills are less likely to 
be satisfied with the EU and national responses to the war 
and  more  likely  to  report  serious  personal  financial 
consequences as a result of the war. These groups are also 
less likely to support actions taken by the EU in response to 
the war and are less likely to support increased defence co-
operation  and  spending  or  the  proposed  energy  policy 
directions.  

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