Many people in Western Europe see former President Donald Trump as a significant threat to peace. A recent survey shows that his unpopularity is widespread across several countries. For instance, 58% of Italians view Trump as a major threat, while 69% of French respondents feel the same way. In Germany, 74% consider him a serious threat, and in Spain, the number is 75%. The British have the highest concern, with 78% seeing Trump as a considerable threat. However, majorities in five Western European countries view Trump as a threat to peace.
However, Trump's threat perception is not as high as that of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Across the surveyed countries, Putin is seen as a bigger threat. In Italy, 74% see Putin as a danger compared to 58% who feel the same about Trump. In the UK, the gap is even larger, with 89% viewing Putin as a threat versus 78% for Trump. Despite this, Trump remains the second biggest threat in the eyes of many Europeans.
Trump's unfavorability ratings are also notable. In the UK, 80% of people hold an unfavorable view of him, while 63% in Italy feel the same way. This trend continues across the four countries surveyed, with unfavorable opinions ranging from 63% to 80%.
While Trump is deeply unpopular, his ratings are still better than Putin's, who has an unfavorability rating of 77% to 89%. Concerns about the United States' commitments to NATO are also prevalent. Many Europeans doubt whether the U.S. would aid countries like the Baltics or Poland if they were attacked. Skepticism exists about U.S. support for Ukraine as well. Notably, a majority of Europeans believe that remaining allies cannot sufficiently support Ukraine if the U.S. withdraws.
Most people in Western Europe want a victory for Ukraine, but few support increasing military aid. Many oppose the idea of the U.S. negotiating directly with Russia without involving Ukraine and Europe. They favor an inclusive approach to peace talks.
