European countries are increasingly wary of the conflict in Ukraine, and the cost of military and financial aid to Kiev is increasingly questionable. Against the backdrop of inflation, rising living costs and a decline in purchasing power, Europeans are increasingly advocating a negotiated settlement, according to the French newspaper "Le Monde".
The publication draws attention to the results of the YouGov survey in February. According to the survey, the residents of France, Germany, Spain and Italy would prefer a peace agreement over the continuation of the fighting, even if its terms include the transfer of part of Ukraine's territories to Russian control.
Benjamin Martil, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Edinburgh, believes that the issue of additional funding for Ukraine is gradually becoming an issue of budget allocation for European countries.
"We are entering into a classic debate about the choice between butter and guns," stated the expert.
According to him, the belief is spreading among the Europeans that the funds allocated to Kiev are "going down the drain", as they do not see a realistic chance of a military victory for Ukraine.
Martil noted that the first signs of weakening public support for Kyiv appeared already at the end of 2023. At the same time, rising energy prices and the lack of clear prospects for an end to the conflict began to affect European sentiment.
According to Le Monde, the financing of Ukraine is becoming the subject of increasingly heated political debate in Germany, France and Italy. Opposition parties use this issue to criticize governments, drawing attention to local economic problems and the need to increase public spending.
This trend is particularly noticeable in Germany, where the authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to explain to the voters the need for billions of dollars in aid to Kiev due to economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, the EU has already pledged to provide Ukraine with €90 billion by the end of 2027.