Polls Show Europeans Hesitant to Increase Taxes for Defense Budgets During Ukraine-Russia Conflict

March 6, 2025 TruthUSA

Leaders from Germany, France, and Britain are advocating for rearmament, but public support for the necessary tax increases to fund it remains low.

Europe’s interest in raising taxes to bolster defense spending during the Ukraine-Russia conflict is minimal based on survey results.

A poll by YouGov on March 6 assessed Western Europe’s stance on Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump, and national defense.

The poll revealed limited backing for tax increases to support additional defense expenditures.

While the specifics are still being worked out, the anticipated rise in defense budgets will primarily come from a blend of debt, taxes, and cuts.

However, only 26 percent of Britons, 20 percent of the French and Spanish respondents, 14 percent of Germans, and just 7 percent of Italians favored increasing taxes to finance this.

Moreover, although Europeans express that they believe Ukraine is not receiving sufficient aid, few support enhancing their own aid contributions.

In Britain, only 24 percent felt their country should ramp up support for Ukraine, while this sentiment was shared by 17 percent in France, 9 percent in Italy, and 18 percent in Spain.

This represents a slight uptick from a previous December YouGov poll, which also indicated that backing for Ukraine does not translate to a willingness to increase aid. Only 11 to 29 percent of respondents across countries, including Germany, believed that the war-torn nation should receive more assistance.

“For the majority, Ukraine is a distant conflict not of great concern to them,” noted Frank Furedi, the executive director of the MCC Brussels think tank. “It’s a bigger issue for the elites.”

Escalation

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As the situation persists, leaders in Europe, specifically from Germany, France, and the UK, who were advised by U.S. President Donald Trump to boost military funding, have increasingly adopted a wartime stance over the past year.

An encounter last Friday between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House turned into a contentious disagreement about a peace agreement.

Trump, who seeks to mediate a swift resolution to the conflict, accused Zelenskyy of risking “World War III.”

The Ukrainian leader suggested that while the conflict might not pose an immediate concern for the United States, “the consequences will be felt in the future.”

This statement seemed to offend Trump.

“You can’t predict that,” he retorted. “Don’t try to tell us how to feel. Because you aren’t in a position to dictate that.”

Military Build-Up

Following the dispute, European leaders reiterated and accelerated their commitment to rearm the union.

On March 4, the European Commission put forth a proposal to borrow up to 150 billion euros ($157.76 billion) to offer to EU governments under a rearmament strategy.

“We are living in incredibly significant and perilous times,” stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We are entering an era of rearmament. Europe is prepared to significantly enhance its defense expenditure.”

This week, German officials commenced the process of establishing a $535 billion defense fund, while UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined strategies to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of national income by 2027.

Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned on Wednesday that France is willing to provide protection from its nuclear arsenal to its allies.

The survey indicated that in terms of public attitudes toward defense spending, Britain is the only country where a majority—46 percent—believes it is insufficient. This sentiment is shared by 39 percent in France, 32 percent in Spain, and just 11 percent in Italy.

Regarding slashing public service budgets to allocate extra funds for defense, the measure is supported by 39 percent in France, as well as 35 percent in Britain and 33 percent in Spain. Approval is lower in Germany (37 percent) and Italy (13 percent).

European Defense Force

Zelenskyy has urged Europe to establish an army in response to Russia’s military build-up.

In the UK, 43 percent support an integrated European army, while 30 percent oppose it. Germans also show more favorable views toward a European army, with 63 percent currently in favor, up from 52 percent before the conflict began.

The YouGov poll also revealed that one-third of Spaniards and Britons believe that European and other Western nations could provide sufficient support to Ukraine for it to continue defending itself. However, only 25 percent in France, Germany, and Italy share this belief.

In terms of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine, the Spanish (53 percent), British (52 percent), and French (49 percent) are more inclined, while Germans and Italians are less enthusiastic (45–47 percent).

The majority of Britons (62 percent) and Spaniards (57 percent) think Ukraine should be permitted to join the NATO military alliance, but other Europeans are less enthusiastic, with only 36–38 percent in favor in France, Germany, and Italy.

In Germany, 46 percent actively oppose Ukraine’s entry into NATO.

The conflict has also reignited the conscription debate.

Last year, Germany passed a law mandating that young men respond to a survey about their willingness to partake in voluntary military service.

A majority in France (68 percent) and Germany (58 percent) back compulsory military service; Italians and Britons have mixed views, while a majority in Spain (53 percent) are against it.

Divisive Topic

Furedi highlighted that while there is broad support for Ukraine, it is passive in nature

“It’s also a contentious topic because there are those who are pro-war and pro-Ukraine, alongside others who are vehemently opposed. So, for the leaders, they need to consider this division in public opinion.”

“However, a lot of what the various prime ministers and government leaders are doing is largely for show,” he added.

Reflecting on the changing sentiments after the Trump/Zelenskyy White House altercation, he stated that when “a foreign power seems to be dictating to you, public opinion is mobilized.”

For instance, Furedi pointed out that during the recent German elections, the involvement of X and Tesla owner Elon Musk, who supported the right-wing Alternative for Germany, triggered a more negative reaction than a positive one.

Yet, he noted that some individuals uncomfortable with the situation felt more empowered to critique Zelenskyy and advocate for an end to the conflict.

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