Two out of three Europeans believe that their country's security is "threatened"

BrusselsAt the height of Russian expansionism and after Donald Trump's threats With the threat of invasion of Greenland looming, Europeans are increasingly fearful of a potential armed conflict. More than one in three citizens of the European Union believe their country's security is at risk, according to a Eurobarometer survey published this Friday. Specifically, 68% of respondents consider their country to be "under threat." This perception is particularly high among the French (80%). The Netherlands and Denmark, the member state that has sovereignty over Greenland, also reach a very high rate of 77%. Cyprus and Germany follow, at 75%. Spain's percentage is considerably lower, at 59%, nine points lower than the average rate recorded by all respondents in the European Union. However, only 52% of those surveyed believe that strengthening security and coordination at the European level will improve their country's security. This percentage is particularly high in the larger member states and the main military powers of the bloc. For example, only 40% of French respondents believe that this reinforcement of security could be positive, compared to 47% of Germans and Italians. In contrast, 64% of those surveyed in Spain view it favorably. Furthermore, 32% of European citizens approve of the European Union's intention to rapidly increase military spending and the major boost to the arms industry. In the Baltic countries, which feel most immediately threatened by the expansionism of Vladimir Putin's regime, the rate is slightly higher, exceeding 35%. Conversely, the percentage is lower in Spain: only 30% of respondents in the country advocate for an increase in military spending.

The European Commission published the survey on the same day the Munich Security Conference began, where European rearmament is expected to be a major topic. In fact, it was already a central issue at Wednesday's EU Defense Council meeting and Thursday's NATO Defense Ministerial meeting. There is broad consensus among European leaders on the need for rapid rearmament to curb Putin's expansionism and reduce dependence on whoever happens to be in the White House.