New Cygnal/Gradus/Response:AI international poll shows support for increased involvement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new international poll released today showed significant Western support for financial and armament aid to Ukraine but limited appetite for a no-fly zone or all-out war. In a joint effort between Cygnal, Gradus, and Response:AI, more than 3,500 citizens of Ukraine, the U.K., the U.S. and Europe were surveyed.
“The call to Western leaders from both Ukrainian citizens and their own constituencies, is clear—do more,” Cygnal President Brent Buchanan said. “Outside of boots on the ground, a majority of respondents want their home countries to supply Ukraine with financial aid and more weapons and arms. Now is the time for Western democracies to rise to the occasion and defend the ideals on which they were founded.”
There is support across the board for financial and arms aid, but respondents are more wary of direct conflict with Russia. While a vast majority of Ukrainians (89%) are asking NATO allies to join the fight, Western respondents are split on whether to provide air and ground support against Russia. Although a plurality of European/U.K./U.S. respondents would support instituting and enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, the support is soft with only a quarter of respondents strongly supporting the action.
Unsurprisingly, coverage of the conflict in Ukraine has dominated the news cycle, but one key difference is the role social media video has played in shaping the narrative of this conflict on the world stage. More than 75% of U.S., U.K., and EU respondents have followed the war in Ukraine through social media to some degree while 72% of Ukrainians say that they’ve watched a significant amount of the war play out over social media. Respondents in all countries surveyed are overwhelmingly seeing this information on Facebook. Only younger people are seeing much on Instagram or TikTok.
Respondents in all countries surveyed who have followed the conflict via social media have a more favorable opinion of Zelenskyy and are significantly more likely to support every type of intervention in Ukraine, including sending troops. Ukrainians who have been following the war on social media are far more optimistic about their country.
Support for financial aid and arms shipments is high within Europe, but Europeans are far more divided on support for a no-fly zone or military involvement, according to Dr. Frederick Barber, President of Response:AI, the firm that managed the survey in Europe and the U.K.
“While 75% of Europeans support giving financial aid to Ukraine and 62% support giving arms and weapons, only 46% support a no-fly zone, and 38% support joining a military response. A nearly equal share, 37%, oppose any military involvement,” Barber stated. “Support for joining in military action is particularly low in Poland, on the front line of the conflict, with only 30% supporting. This contrasts with the U.K., where 42% support military involvement, and interestingly, Spain, where fully 57% express support.”
The toplines, crosstabs and a deck with key insights and analysis can be viewed and downloaded below.