Appeasement or solidarity? Uncovering the drivers of European public opinion on the EU’s foreign policy

Alexandru D Moise and Chendi Wang
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Alexandru D Moise: Department of Political and Social Sciences, 10185European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy
Chendi Wang: Department of Political Science and Public Administration, 1190Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

European Union Politics, 2025, vol. 26, issue 2, 418-441

Abstract: The Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its implications for European security, has intensified the need to understand European public opinion on potential conflict strategies. This study delves into the formation of these opinions, focusing on utilitarian factors like economic interests and threat perception, and ideological elements such as political orientation, national identity and perceptions of Russia and Ukraine. Utilising a two-wave panel survey from five European Union (EU) countries, our findings underscore that ideological factors, especially trust in Russia and Ukraine are paramount in shaping support for escalation or de-escalation. Economic concerns, threat perceptions, right-wing ideologies and strong national identities also play significant roles. This research not only illuminates European sentiment on the war in Ukraine but also enriches broader discussions on the determinants of public opinion in international conflicts.

Keywords: Public opinion; Russian invasion of Ukraine; appeasement; solidarity; energy prices; threat perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:26:y:2025:i:2:p:418-441

DOI: 10.1177/14651165251320837

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