Country-level differences were pronounced. In Germany (40 percent), France (44 percent) and Spain (43 percent), respondents said defense spending should increase. In Italy, 39 percent said spending was too high — the highest level among the countries polled. Poland stood apart, with a majority (56 percent) saying current spending levels are about right.
Those views broadly track current spending levels. Poland plans to spend 4.8 percent of GDP on defense this year, the highest in NATO and far more than the other countries polled.
Ukraine support fractures
The data highlighted divisions over Europe’s support for Ukraine.
Across the six countries, 34 percent said Europe is not providing enough support to Ukraine, 31 percent said the current level is about right, and 30 percent said Europe is doing too much.
National differences again stood out. In Germany, by far the largest European aid-giver to Ukraine, 45 percent said Europe is not doing enough. In Italy, which gives the lowest share of its GDP to Ukraine in civilian and military aid of the six countries polled, according to the Kiel Support Tracker, 42 percent said Europe is providing too much support. Spain and Belgium leaned toward the “not enough” camp while France was more evenly divided.
Despite these disagreements, backing for collective defense commitments remained robust across all countries surveyed, particularly within NATO. The findings also feed into debates over conscription and civic service, as governments look for ways to expand military capacity.