# Examining public support for Ukraine’s defense against autocratic aggression

## TL;DR

Western publics generally support Ukraine's defense against Russia but face internal divisions that could affect long-term aid.

## Contribution

The study reveals consistent public support across Western democracies but highlights polarized attitudes that may constrain unity.

## Key findings

- Citizens strongly endorse Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-determination.
- Support is tempered by concerns over human suffering and conflict escalation.
- Internal divisions exist between pro-Western and anti-Western citizens.

## Abstract

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine challenges the liberal international order and tests the capacity of Western democracies to maintain long-term military and financial aid for Ukraine in a foreign war. Understanding whether governments’ pledges of resolve are backed by their citizens is crucial for the credibility of these commitments. Here we show, based on survey experiments with 10,011 respondents in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy, that these countries’ publics share a similar pattern of preferences. In all countries, citizens strongly endorse Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-determination while weighing human suffering and conflict escalation risk, but less so economic costs. However, within countries, attitudes are polarized: roughly one quarter of citizens with pro-Western orientations show firm resolve, whereas another quarter with anti-Western views remain largely indifferent to political outcomes for Ukraine. These divisions indicate that democratic party competition could constrain the unity and durability of Western resolve against autocratic aggression.

Citizens’ approval is crucial for maintaining aid to Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. Here, the authors show that Western citizens back Ukraine’s fight, but moral and strategic concerns, as well as internal divisions, may impose restraints.