Ukraine Survey Reveals Paradox: Strong EU Support, Less Backing for Minority Rights
A recent survey of 2,100 Ukrainians has revealed an intriguing paradox. Despite strong support for the European Union (EU), many respondents show lesser support for minority rights and decentralisation. This finding has prompted calls for the EU to reassess its approach to advancing its standards in Ukraine.
The survey, conducted by Dr. Ulrich Karpenstein, Dr. Thu Nguyen, and Dr. Luke Dimitrios Spieker, found that only 28% of strongly pro-EU respondents backed minority languages as a first language in majority regions. Similarly, just 32% supported giving regions political control over cultural or linguistic matters. Even civic nationalists, who typically favour decentralisation, showed little willingness to endorse such reforms.
The authors argue that the EU should recalibrate its approach, prioritising areas of stronger public alignment. They warn that strategy must not outpace reality, as enlarging the EU is a strategic necessity but must be grounded in domestic resonance of reforms. The war has anchored Ukraine's European orientation and accelerated reforms, with public support for EU accession exceeding 90% since Russia's invasion. However, the EU's core accession principle of protecting minority rights is challenged in Ukraine's wartime context.
Maryna Rabinovych sees Ukraine's pro-European shift as an opportunity for the EU. However, the EU must navigate the complex dynamics of public opinion and wartime context to successfully integrate Ukraine while upholding its core principles.
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