According to a recent poll by the Median agency, almost 90% of Czechs still prefer a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine, even after a year of conflict that began with Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022. The same percentage of respondents expressed their belief that the European Union and NATO should continue trying to settle the conflict through diplomatic talks.

However, the poll also showed a decline in support for targeted anti-Russian sanctions, dropping by 12 percentage points year-on-year to 68%. Median director Premysl Cech noted that those opposing sanctions were mainly people aged 45 to 59, inhabitants of smaller municipalities, and supporters of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and presidential candidate Andrej Babis.

The poll also revealed that 56% of respondents support the EU and NATO supplying arms to Ukraine, with higher support among students and supporters of the Civic Democrats (ODS) party. However, only 18% of respondents supported direct NATO military intervention in the conflict, while 76% were against it.

In terms of Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO or the EU, half of the respondents agreed that Ukraine should join one or both organizations. Specifically, 12% of respondents favored only EU membership, 11% supported NATO membership, and 27% supported Ukraine’s admission to both organizations. On the other hand, one-third of those polled were against Ukraine’s membership in NATO and the EU.

The poll was conducted with a sample of 1,000 people over 18 on 17-18 February 2023.

The Russian aggression against Ukraine has caused significant suffering, claiming the lives of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and displacing millions from their homes. The conflict has stirred up a massive wave of solidarity in the Czech Republic and abroad. Western leaders have condemned the invasion and imposed sanctions against Russia.

In conclusion, the Median poll indicates that Czechs still prefer a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine, with a decreasing support for targeted anti-Russian sanctions. There is also a significant support for EU and NATO’s diplomatic efforts and for the supply of arms to Ukraine, but a strong opposition to NATO’s direct military intervention in the conflict. Half of Czechs support Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO or the EU, while one-third are against it.

Article by Prague Forum