Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1471185
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 JUNE 2022 NEWS Majorities in neutral EU states support arming Ukraine Vast majorities in Malta, Ireland, Sweden and Finland support EU financing of military equipment to Ukraine JAMES DEBONO A majority of citizens in all five neutral member states in the European Union, includ- ing Malta, support the EU's decision to finance and deliver weapons to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian aggression. A Eurobarometer survey shows that while 80% of re- spondents in Malta support the decision to finance and de- liver weapons to Ukraine, only 14% are opposed. Support for arming Ukraine is 10 points higher in Malta than in the en- tire EU. Among the five neutral members of the EU, support for arming Ukraine is highest in Sweden (92%), which to- gether with Finland (90%), has now applied to join NATO. But support is also high in Ireland where 90% support arming Ukraine. Among the neutral EU member states support for arming Ukraine is lowest in Austria (54%). The majority of respondents in all five neutral EU countries favour increased defence co- operation in the EU. Unsurprisingly, in the EU as a whole support for arming Ukraine is highest in Poland (93%), which not only borders the Ukraine but was itself his- torically annexed by Tsarist Russia and later the Soviet Un- ion. Support is lowest in coun- tries which share a cultural and religious affinity with Rus- sia, mainly Bulgaria (30%), Cy- prus (45%) and Slovakia (42%). Support for arming Ukraine is higher in Malta than in a number of NATO members like France (68%), Germany (66%), Italy (61%) and Hunga- ry (60%). The survey also shows strong majorities in Malta for ban- ning Russia Today and Sputnik broadcasts (72%), sanctions against Russian companies, government members and in- dividuals (83%) and notably welcoming refugees from the war zone (96%). Respondents were also asked to state their major two wor- ries about the ensuing war. Understandably the results show that the greatest wor- ry of the Maltese is a nuclear war (47%) followed by fears of the conflict spreading to other countries (30%), the risk of an economic crisis (30%) and in- flation (26%). The survey shows that 71% of Maltese are satisfied with their government's response to the Russian invasion. 73% of Maltese are also satisfied with the EU's response, as are 59% of citizens in all EU member states. The most dissatisfied with the EU response are the Estonians (42%), the Greeks (44%), the Slovaks (44%) and the Cypriots (48%). While in Estonia the public largely sup- ports measures against Russia, in Greece, Slovakia and Cy- prus low support for the EU's response reflects a pro Russian sentiment, confirmed by larg- er opposition against arming Ukraine.