Europeans appear divided over their willingness to continue supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees, according to a study by the Mercator Forum for Migration and Democracy (MIDEM) at Germany’s Dresden University of Technology.
Of those polled, 40% of Europeans were in favour of supporting Ukraine and shouldering any negative consequences from that support, while 39% said support for Ukraine should be limited due to economic and social impacts.
According to the study (pdf in German), 55% of Europeans want to limit the immigration of foreigners.
In Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, the majority of citizens voted for limited support for Ukraine.
In countries that appear largely open to refugees, such as Sweden, about two-thirds of respondents said they supported Ukraine.
In Poland, the trend is in the opposite direction. There 42% said they were in favour of restrictions. This is the highest percentage of any other European country.
The percentages regarding Greece are 27% in favour of support and 49% in favor of limiting support. Along with Hungary, Greece has the lowest percentages in favour of support, but also one of the highest in favor of limiting aid along with Hungary and Czech Republic.
Solidarity in Ukraine may be tested in the coming months, the MIDEM director said at the presentation of the study.
According to researchers, the study also showed that solidarity does not apply equally to all refugees. “While there is a great willingness to accept and help Ukrainian refugees, there is skepticism towards refugees from other crisis areas,” it said.
The reservations were particularly strong regarding immigrants from Islamic countries.