A new survey has revealed that citizens across Europe are increasingly concerned about the possibility of war with Russia, with Germans, French, and several other EU nations ranking the risk as high.

The French pollster Cluster17 surveyed respondents in nine European countries, finding that just over half of participants rated the likelihood of conflict as “high” or “very high.”

Poland Shows Greatest Anxiety

Poland, sharing a border with Russia and a former member of the Soviet sphere, expressed the highest levels of concern, with 77 percent of respondents viewing a war risk as high.

Other countries with significant apprehension included:

• Belgium and the Netherlands: 59%
• Germany, France, Spain: Roughly 50%

Italy, Portugal, and Croatia reported the lowest perceived risks, with Italians being the least worried at 34 percent.

Views on the United States

The survey also gauged European perceptions of US President Donald Trump, showing that just under half of respondents now see him as an “enemy of Europe,” marking a four-point increase since September.

Security Concerns Drive Policy Changes

The findings come amid growing security concerns in Europe following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many European governments are taking steps to bolster defense:

• France plans to reintroduce voluntary military service next year, a measure last abolished in 1996.
• Belgium and the Netherlands have launched similar programs.

French President Emmanuel Macron framed these moves as a response to Russian aggression, warning that Moscow could exploit any perceived weakness in European defense.

Putin Signals Readiness

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reinforced fears by warning Europe that Moscow is “ready” for war if provoked. Ahead of meetings with US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Putin said:

“We are not going to fight Europe, I have said this a hundred times. But if Europe suddenly wants to fight and starts, we are ready right now.”

The survey underscores the lingering anxiety across Europe over Russia’s intentions and the fragile security environment in the wake of ongoing conflict in Ukraine.