Public in NATO countries against arming Ukraine: poll
A majority of citizens from eight NATO countries are against sending arms to Ukraine to help battle pro-Russian separatists, even if they believe Moscow is stirring the conflict, according to a survey released Wednesday.
A majority of respondents in France, Germany and Italy also believe NATO should not use military force if Russia attacks another member state of the transatlantic military organization, according to the opinion poll conducted by the Pew Research Center.
Only some 41 percent of respondents in eight NATO countries support the organization sending weapons to Kiev, while 70 percent prefer sending economic aid to the conflict-riven country, it said.
Some 50 percent of Poles surveyed supported sending military aid to Kiev, while only 19 percent in Germany and 22 percent in Italy were in favor, according to the poll.
In France, 40 percent of people supported arming Kiev, while in the United States the figure rose to 46 percent.
For months, Ukraine and Western governments have accused Russia of arming separatists in the east and deploying troops.
Despite growing evidence of Russian weapons and forces, Moscow denies any involvement in the conflict that has killed more than 6,400 people since April last year.
“NATO nations are hesitant, however, to escalate their involvement in the conflict, especially militarily,” the Pew report said.
“And many allied countries are reluctant to uphold Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which requires NATO members to defend an ally with armed force if necessary.”
A median 48 percent of all respondents support using force to defend an ally if attacked by Russia, while 42 percent are opposed. Support for such action was greatest in the United States, at 56 percent.
The survey was conducted in eight countries with 11,116 adults surveyed over the phone or in person between April 6 and May 15, according to the report.
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1 Comments
Essentially this is all about the AngloAmerican empire which has dominated the world for almost half a millennia seeking to keep control. This is an America made situation, and a vast majority for confrontation and even war are the US, UK and Canada (without a doubt the lesser poodles, Australia and New Zealand; if polled, would have also been with them).. Russia is a convenient bogey, it helps unite the EU/NATO behind this axis of hegemons, not that give a damn about the Europeans’ opinions. As the manufacturer of this entire crisis, Nulund put it so succinctly ” **** the EU”.
Until and unless the more civilized European countries break out of this EU/NATO stranglehold (created precisely for that purpose), they should be prepared for a third WW to be fought on their territory (again) at a horrendous cost to the lives of their citizens and their economies. Many of the more intelligent Germans, French and Italians realize that, the dumber lot, like the Poles never will.
We will review and take appropriate action.