Eurobarometer: Romanians support sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukrainians less than other Europeans

Romanians support the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union and aid for Ukrainian refugees, but to a lesser extent than the EU average, according to a Eurobarometer survey.

The Eurobarometer, conducted in June-July 2022, shows that EU citizens continue strongly to support the EU’s response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

67% of Romanian respondents are optimistic about the future of the EU, which is an eight-point increase compared to a similar survey conducted in January-February this year, before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine (EU average: 65%), according to a press release from the European Commission.

In Romania, the positive image of the EU is currently at a level of 47% (+ 6 percentage points), while 36% of respondents have neutral views and 14% have negative views of the EU. In addition, 54% of Romanians tend to trust the EU (+ 5 percentage points), above the European average of 49%. European citizens confirm their strong support for the EU’s response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Regarding EU actions, at the European level, humanitarian support is the most approved (92% EU average vs 75% in Romania), followed by the reception of Ukrainians fleeing the war (90% EU average vs 75% in Romania).

69% of Romanians support the economic sanctions imposed by the EU on the Russian government, businesses and individuals in Russia, below the European average of 78%. 61% of Romanians are in favor of financing the supply and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine (EU average: 68%), and the absolute majority of Romanian respondents (61%) are satisfied with the EU’s response (EU average: 57%).

71% of Romanians believe that the EU should invest in energy from renewable sources (EU average: 87%), reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources (70% vs 86% EU average) and that gas storage in EU countries would should be carried out quickly to allow uninterrupted gas supply in winter (70% vs 86% EU average). In addition, 71% of Romanians believe that increasing energy efficiency will make us less dependent on energy producers outside the EU (European average: 85%), while 68% are in favor of the joint purchase of energy by the member states of the EU from other countries to get a better price (EU average: 83%).

Also, 65% of Romanians say that they have recently taken measures to reduce their energy consumption or that they intend to do so in the near future (EU average: 78%).

Rising prices/inflation/cost of living is also a top concern nationally for more than half of respondents (54%, +13 percentage points), followed by “energy supply” (22%, +11 points percentages) and the “economic situation” (20%, + 1 percentage point).

More than six in ten respondents (62%) say the war in Ukraine has had serious consequences for their personal finances.

Overall, on EU level, the Union’s humanitarian support to Ukraine has the highest approval (92%) followed by welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the war into the EU (90%); 78% of Europeans support economic sanctions imposed by the EU on the Russian government, companies and individuals.

Almost seven in ten interviewees (68%) are in favour of financing the supply and delivery of military equipment to Ukraine. And a majority of respondents are satisfied with the response of both the EU (57%) and their national government (55%).

Also, an overwhelming majority of EU citizens agree that the EU should invest in renewable energies (87%), reduce its dependency on Russian sources of energy (86%) and that gas storage in EU countries should be filled up rapidly to allow uninterrupted gas supply during winter (86%).