Many NATO countries want to help Ukraine but are afraid of Russia

Less than half of respondents in Britain, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany support the use of force to defend NATO allies in the event of a Russian attack.

Citizens of some NATO member states blame Russia for the Ukraine crisis but are reluctant about their governments providing military aid to Ukraine or another NATO member in the event of a Russian attack.

Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region (photo: Reuters)

That is the result of a public opinion poll released by the international research firm Pew on June 10.

Less than half of respondents in Britain (49%), Spain (48%), France (47%), Italy (40%), and Germany (38%) support using force to defend NATO allies if Russia engages in a serious armed conflict with one of the NATO member countries.

According to a Pew survey, US (56%) and Canadian (53%) citizens are more likely to support allied countries if attacked.

The results come at a time of worsening tensions between Russia and the West, reaching levels not seen since the Cold War. NATO countries bordering Russia – the Baltic states and Poland – have stepped up military exercises and spending to counter what they see as Russian aggression.

Article 5 of the NATO Charter requires member countries to defend each other if one is attacked.

According to VOV