More than half of Germans support providing military aid to Ukraine

57% of German residents continue to support military aid to Ukraine. However, this share fell compared to the previous year (66%). Germans also consider it important to invest more in European security, especially against the background of the election results in the USA.

This is evidenced by the results of a survey conducted by the German Kerber Foundation (Körber Foundation).

East Germany approves the continuation of military support to Ukraine the least — only 40%. And 47% of respondents believe that Ukraine should defend itself until all territories occupied by the Russian Federation are recaptured. Instead, 43% are sure that Ukraine should cede part of its territory to Russia in order to try to end the war.

In addition, 45% of respondents called the war in Ukraine the biggest foreign policy challenge for Germany (this is the highest figure since the beginning of the Russian invasion). 31% consider migration the biggest challenge, 17% — the war in the Middle East.

The vast majority of Germans (82%) see Russia as a military threat to their country. Compared to last year, this indicator increased by six percentage points. At the same time, 52% of respondents share the opinion that the placement of American medium-range missiles in Germany increases the risk of war with Russia. Iran is perceived as a military threat by 60% of respondents, China by 57%.

After the US elections and the collapse of the coalition, 73% of respondents agree that Germany should invest more in European security. At the same time, 58% are against the fact that it is she who will take on the role of the leader of the West if the United States withdraws. 65% of Germans oppose the military leadership of Germany in Europe (in 2023 there were 71%).

In September, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' proposal to increase defense spending to 3-3.5% of GDP was welcomed by exactly half of the respondents, and 15% even said that they consider these figures too low. But on the question of greater participation in international crises, the opinions of the Germans were divided. 46% said in favor of it, which is the highest figure since the polls began in 2017. However, 44% continue to reject the country's greater international involvement.

According to 79% of Germans, Trump's future presidency will negatively affect relations between Germany and the USA. Despite this, the United States remains the most important partner for 46% of German residents.

The Kerber Foundation poll was conducted among 1,010 voters aged 18 and over in September and among another 1,000 respondents on November 7 and 8 after the US election and the collapse of the German government coalition.

We will remind you that according to the results of the survey by The Economist and GlobeScan, 54% of foreigners support the victory of Ukraine in the war against Russia, while 20% are on the side of Russia. 30,000 people from 29 countries and Hong Kong participated in the study.