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In response to the conflict, a majority of Europeans backed the West’s policy of severing ties with Moscow and expressed strong support for Ukraine's bid to join the EU, according to the poll. Opinion polls taken inside the country have shown that a majority of Russians support the war, although there are some concerns about their validity. Moscow has justified its "special military operation" by saying that a Western-leaning Ukraine would constitute a threat to its security, preventing Russia from feeling safe to "develop and exist". Italy has the largest proportion of respondents who think Ukraine, the EU or the US are responsible for the conflict. This view is shared by strong majorities in Italy (56%), France (62%) and Germany (66%). More than four-fifths of respondents in Poland (83%), Sweden (83%), Finland (90%), and Great Britain (83%) hold Moscow responsible. The ECFR results showed that Russia is universally blamed for starting the war across Europe. Where does responsibility for the war lie? In Finland, Sweden and Great Britain more than three-quarters of survey participants thought Moscow was the key obstacle.ĭespite divides over how the conflict should end, Lenoard and co-author Ivan Krastev, cautioned EU leaders against “maximalist positions'', suggesting they should strike a middle ground and remain tough on Russia but be conscious of the dangers of escalation. Italy had the largest percentage of respondents (35%) who thought Kyiv or the West was the main barrier to a settlement and the smallest chunk (39%) of those who believed it was Russia. Overall, 64% of Europeans said Russia was the largest impediment, while 17% said it was Ukraine, the EU or the US. The ECFR survey, conducted between April to May by pollsters Datapraxis and YouGov, found more unity amongst Europeans over what was stopping peace. Italians split on who is the biggest obstacle to peace "If badly handled the gap between the peace camp and the justice camp over Ukraine could be as damaging as that between creditors and debtors during the euro crisis," he added. "There are potential divisions over the cost of living, refugees and nuclear escalation, but the big divide is between those who want to end the war as quickly as possible and those who want Russia to be punished. “Europeans have surprised Putin – and themselves – by their unity so far, but the big stresses are coming now," said ECFR director Mark Leonard. Populations in nine EU member states were surveyed (Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden), alongside the UK. Poland, which borders Ukraine and has been very supportive of Kyiv, had the most respondents wanting "justice" against Russia of those surveyed. Italy, Germany and Romania had the most favouring a peaceful end to hostilities. Moscow has steadfastly rejected claims it is a war, insisting on calling it a "special military operation".