Polling on Ukraine: Support for sanctions and Government’s handling grows

NEW polling by Ipsos finds an increase in support for the UK Government implementing economic sanctions against Russia, now at 78% compared to 61% in late February, immediately before the invasion.  Support for economic sanctions has hardened even if it leads to increased energy prices, from 49% in in late February, to 73% in this latest poll.

Two thirds (66%) of people support humanitarian interventions by Britain, up by 26 percentage points since February and less than 1 in 10 think we shouldn’t get involved, down from 2 in 10.  While support for military interventions remains lower than humanitarian, diplomatic and economic action, it has also risen slightly, by 8 percentage points, to 28%.

Concern for Ukraine and Britons

Most Britons (87%) are keeping a close eye on reports on the situation in Ukraine, more so than last week, and with 9 in 10 (91%) concerned about civilians in Ukraine (75% very concerned). 83% of people surveyed are concerned about the potential economic impact and 77% of people are concerned about the potential impact on the UK’s national safety and security. Six in 10 (62%) are concerned about the impact on themselves personally.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the highest levels of support for his handling of the situation.

Three quarters (76%) of those surveyed said that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is doing a good job of handling the situation. Only 6% of people think he is doing a bad job.

The European Union are seen to be doing a good job by 45% of Britons. Whilst 39% of people think the same about the UK Government, this is up 13 percentage points since February, and 37% think Boris Johnson is doing a good job, up 11 percentage points.  Three in 10 (29%) think Joe Biden is doing a good job, up 6 percentage points.

Chief Executive of Ipsos UK and Ireland, Kelly Beaver said:

As the conflict in Ukraine continues with no sign of abating, the British public are watching the story unfold closely, and they clearly have a lot of sympathy for Ukraine. This is translating through to the growing support for Britain playing a greater role in providing humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian people as well as sanctions against Russia.  And while many are concerned about the potential impact on the UK’s economy and security, this seems to be making less of a difference to support for action, and support for the job done by the Prime Minister and UK Government has now become more positive even if still some way from being unanimous.

Technical note

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,023 British adults aged 18-75. Interviews were conducted online on the 2nd March 2022. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.