More than half of the Hungarian population deems Ukraine to be a greater threat to Hungary than Russia, a recently released study shows.
The ‘The World Through Hungarian Eyes - Foreign Policy Attitudes in Hungary,’ was published by Policy Solutions, a Hungarian think tank.
Just over half of the persons surveyed, 51%, pointed to Ukraine as the biggest threat from the point of view of Hungary, followed by Russia (46%). China and the U.S. came in matched for third place with 34%.
This represents a major shift compared to a similar study conducted last year, when the Hungarians perceived Russia as a greater threat than Ukraine, authors of the report say.
The Hungarians perceive the leaders of Ukraine and Russia equally negatively. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, is viewed negatively by 61% of Hungarians, compared to a 63% negative rating for Russian president and an internationally-wanted war criminal Vladimir Putin.
Just over half of the persons surveyed, 51%, pointed to Ukraine as the biggest threat from the point of view of Hungary, followed by Russia (46%). China and the U.S. came in matched for third place with 34%.
This represents a major shift compared to a similar study conducted last year, when the Hungarians perceived Russia as a greater threat than Ukraine, authors of the report say.
The Hungarians perceive the leaders of Ukraine and Russia equally negatively. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, is viewed negatively by 61% of Hungarians, compared to a 63% negative rating for Russian president and an internationally-wanted war criminal Vladimir Putin.
More than a quarter of Hungarians (27%) believe that it would be in their country’s best interest to tighten their relationship with Russia and distance themselves from the European Union, although at the same time, as the study’s authors point out, 43% of the society rejects the notion of closer collaboration with Russia.
The survey’s respondents consider cooperation with Austria, Germany, and Croatia to be of key importance( 84%, 80%, and 79% respectively). Meanwhile, 76% consider Poland to be an important partner for Hungary, compared to 48% as to Russia, and 39% as to Ukraine.
This is a radical change compared to last year’s report, when Ukraine was considered an important partner and Russia came in last when it comes to all the countries the respondents were surveyed about.
Exactly half (50%) of the Hungarians believe that in terms of values their country should remain aligned with the West, with general support for NATO membership, Neither do the Hungarians believe that the alliance or the European Union are likely to disintegrate within the upcoming 20 years.
The survey’s respondents consider cooperation with Austria, Germany, and Croatia to be of key importance( 84%, 80%, and 79% respectively). Meanwhile, 76% consider Poland to be an important partner for Hungary, compared to 48% as to Russia, and 39% as to Ukraine.
This is a radical change compared to last year’s report, when Ukraine was considered an important partner and Russia came in last when it comes to all the countries the respondents were surveyed about.
Exactly half (50%) of the Hungarians believe that in terms of values their country should remain aligned with the West, with general support for NATO membership, Neither do the Hungarians believe that the alliance or the European Union are likely to disintegrate within the upcoming 20 years.
It ought to be noted however, that there is a disparity between the supporters of the ruling Fidesz party and the opposition when it comes to the country’s alignment. Only 37% of them endorse Budapest’s Western orientation (compared to 46% the previous year), while as many as 25% oppose Hungary’s Western alignment.
“By contrast, two-thirds (66%) of opposition voters agree that in terms of our values, we have traditionally belonged to the West; this is the same share as last year,” the study reads.
Nevertheless, 76% of the respondents believe that in case of a Russian invasion of the Baltic States, Hungary should send its troops to fight in support of its NATO allies.
The report is based on a study conducted by Závecz Research between March 1 and 9 on a representative group of 1,000 directly interviewed respondents.
“By contrast, two-thirds (66%) of opposition voters agree that in terms of our values, we have traditionally belonged to the West; this is the same share as last year,” the study reads.
Nevertheless, 76% of the respondents believe that in case of a Russian invasion of the Baltic States, Hungary should send its troops to fight in support of its NATO allies.
The report is based on a study conducted by Závecz Research between March 1 and 9 on a representative group of 1,000 directly interviewed respondents.
Source: policysolutions.hu, Policy Solutions via PAP
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