ECFR Poll: Most Europeans Support Increased Defense Spending and EU Arms Procurement
An ECFR poll in May 2026 revealed most Europeans support increased defense spending and EU arms procurement, with Italians being an exception. Respondents trust NATO more than a new EU-only defense forum. Most do not expect US protection but anticipate aid from European nations.
According to a European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) poll published on Wednesday, most Europeans support increased national defense spending and the procurement of European-made weapons. Italians were an exception, with most opposing an increase in the defense budget.
The survey, conducted in May 2026, covered over 18,000 respondents from 15 countries, including Austria, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Most respondents, excluding Italians, also supported purchasing more weapons from European countries.
Regarding arms purchases from the US, only Poland, which has the highest military spending in the EU and NATO as a percentage of GDP, showed a majority of positive responses. Most respondents in all 15 countries do not expect protection from the US in case of an attack but believe some European countries would come to their aid. Europeans trust NATO more than the idea of a new defense forum exclusively within the EU, which only 29% of respondents supported.