Fact Check: "11 of 12 EU countries oppose ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia."
What We Know
A recent poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations indicates that a significant majority of Europeans oppose the idea of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, particularly if prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The survey included respondents from 12 countries: Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. It found that majorities in all countries, except for Hungary regarding the withdrawal of military support, opposed following the U.S. lead in ceding territory or lifting sanctions on Russia (Kyiv Independent).
The opposition was notably high in countries like Denmark, the U.K., Poland, Spain, and Portugal, while it was lower in Hungary, Romania, and Italy. The findings suggest a strong sentiment among Europeans for an independent policy towards Ukraine, reflecting a desire for Ukraine to continue its resistance against Russian aggression (Kyiv Independent).
Analysis
The claim that "11 of 12 EU countries oppose ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia" is substantiated by the survey results. The data shows that in the context of potential concessions to Russia, the majority of respondents in 11 out of the 12 surveyed countries expressed opposition. This is significant, especially considering that even in Hungary, which has a government perceived as pro-Russian, more respondents opposed ceding territory than supported it (Kyiv Independent).
The credibility of the source, the European Council on Foreign Relations, is generally high, as it is a well-regarded think tank that conducts extensive research on European and international affairs. However, it is important to note that public opinion can be influenced by various factors, including national media narratives and political contexts. The survey's methodology involved a substantial sample size of 16,440 adults, which adds to its reliability (Kyiv Independent).
While the poll reflects a strong opposition to ceding territory, it is also essential to consider that public opinion can be fluid, especially in response to evolving geopolitical situations. Thus, while the current sentiment is against ceding territory, future developments could potentially alter these views (Kyiv Independent).
Conclusion
The claim that "11 of 12 EU countries oppose ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia" is True. The evidence from the European Council on Foreign Relations poll clearly indicates that a majority of respondents from 11 of the 12 surveyed countries oppose the idea of ceding territory, aligning with the claim made.
Sources
- Peace in exchange for land? For many Ukrainians, it's too painful to contemplate
- Europeans oppose following Trump if he pushes Ukraine to cede territory
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- Russia/Ukraine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 24, 2025
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- Despite growing support for ceding land to end war, majority of Ukrainians remain opposed