Sociologists Record Highest Support for Joining EU, NATO Among Ukrainians

Support for joining the European Union and NATO is currently the highest in the entire history of Ukraine’s independence. This is evidenced by the results of a nationwide survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” on 1-2 October 2022.

In particular, 86% of respondents would support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union on a referendum, 3% would vote against, 7% would abstain.

“Support for joining the EU is unanimous among representatives of all macro-regions and age groups,” sociologists noted.

Support for joining NATO is almost at the same level: 83% would support this initiative on a referendum, 4% would vote against, and 9% would abstain.

In June 2022, 76% supported joining the Alliance.

As a reminder, the presidents of the nine NATO Member States from Central and Eastern Europe published a joint statement condemning Russia’s attempted annexation of Ukrainian territories and calling on NATO to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine.

“We reiterate our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We do not recognise and will never recognise Russian attempts to annex any Ukrainian territory,” the statement reads.

The presidents also expressed firm support for the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit decision concerning Ukraine’s future membership.

“We support Ukraine in its defence against Russia‘s invasion, demand Russia to immediately withdraw from all the occupied territories, and encourage all Allies to substantially increase their military aid to Ukraine. All those who commit crimes of aggression must be held accountable and brought to justice,” the statement sums up.

The document was signed by President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman, President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Latvia Egils Levits, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, and President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová.

Bohdan Marusyak