Russians want more war
05 March 2025
As the US withdraws from Ukraine, Russians are feeling the frenzy: Recent polls show more Russians support the invasion of Ukraine. A study by independent group Russian Field, said that only 45% of people support negotiations. That's less than in November when 53% of people in the Federation supported peace talks.
Another February poll by the Chronicles group said that 52% of Russians supported the war, a slight increase from a previous September figure of 50%, which was the lowest since the invasion began.
Political scientist Kiril Rogov, a fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, believes these polls show the "euphoria," which followed direct talks between Russia and the US. After Ukraine invaded the Russian Kursk region last year, Russians wanted a quicker ending of the war. But now they are captivated by the "sense of victory," Rogov said. Polls conducted in Russia can't be trusted fully as people might bend their opinions due to the regime's oppression.
 | Sascha Roslyakov Russia has been on a lucky streak throughout February. Donald Trump's announcement to freeze US aid to Ukraine has thrown Moscow into absolute joy. Analysts on both sides of the conflict agreed they couldn't imagine a better scenario for Russia. Moscow elites have been celebrating, with the Kremlin spokesperson calling the US fully aligned with Russian foreign policy. The average Russian I spoke to last week told me that excitement about the US-Russia talks is in the air. However, there's also a lingering sense of uncertainty among them: What if the tables turn and negotiations fail? Many Russian analysts remember when the Trump administration imposed more sanctions against Russia, and also gave arms to Ukraine – Javelins – that Obama didn't want to give. The Kremlin shares this certain hesitation, and seemingly didn't prepare for things to take this course. Reports also say that the Kremlin doesn't fully trust Trump. Vladimir Putin needs "a break" more than anyone, as his economy and military stockpiles are starving. Both Zelenskiy's and Putin's destiny is in the palm of Trump's hand – if he decides to betray Ukraine today, who says he won't stab Putin in the back tomorrow. |
Welcome to The European Correspondent
Europe lacks true European media: in Germany alone, there are more media devoted exclusively to football than news outlets specialising on Europe. The established players mainly focus on Brussels and European institutions. The European Correspondent aims to change that. We cover the whole of Europe and write for a community of citizens who want to look beyond their own national borders. Without European journalism, there is no European civil society.
〉Read our manifesto
〉The stories we would like to write for you
Become a donor!
The European Correspondent is fully funded by its readers. We can only produce the newsletter with your support - and work towards the bigger project: building true European media. Donate now!
With your help, we can create true European journalism. Thank you!
We are non-profit. Every donated € goes directly into The European Correspondent.