More than Two-Thirds of Ukrainians Support NATO Membership, but Trust in the Alliance Declines

According to a survey conducted by the research agency Info Sapiens on behalf of the Center for New Europe, 68.9% of Ukrainians support the idea of Ukraine joining NATO. However, despite this support, more than 40% of respondents expressed distrust in the Alliance. This indicates a complicated situation in the perception of NATO among the Ukrainian population, which, on one hand, recognizes the importance of integration into Western security structures, while on the other hand, harbors serious doubts regarding the effectiveness and actions of the Alliance in the context of the ongoing war.

The study revealed that 54.7% of respondents trust NATO, while 41.5% do not. This suggests that despite significant support for the idea of membership, there is a substantial portion of the population that does not view the Alliance as a reliable partner. The factors most influencing trust in NATO are related to assistance to Ukraine, protection, and security guarantees. Specifically, 18.5% of respondents indicated that their trust in the Alliance is diminished due to insufficient aid, 13.3% cited a lack of proper protection, and 11.8% pointed to inadequate security guarantees.

Distrust towards NATO, as revealed by open-ended responses, is largely attributed to perceptions of its behavior during the war. Many Ukrainians believe that the Alliance is acting insufficiently, slowly, and indecisively. Among the reasons influencing distrust, respondents mentioned: "insufficient assistance to Ukraine" (16.5%), "more talk than action" (13.5%), "inaction" (11.0%), "they are unable to protect themselves" (9.1%), and "the war is still ongoing" (6.1%). Additionally, nearly 6% of respondents stated that they simply do not trust NATO without providing specific reasons.

The survey was conducted from March 7 to March 20, 2026, prior to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a possible U.S. exit from NATO. The sample size of the study consisted of 1,000 respondents, allowing for conclusions to be drawn about general societal sentiments.

The context of this situation can be better understood by referring to previous surveys. In early January 2026, results indicated a significant decline in trust towards the U.S. and NATO compared to the end of 2024. At the same time, the majority of Ukrainians still expressed trust in the European Union. A March survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed that while the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians maintain a positive attitude towards the United States as a whole, there is a predominantly negative sentiment towards the American administration.

Thus, the situation regarding trust in NATO in Ukraine is complex and ambiguous. While the majority of the population supports joining the Alliance, there is a significant portion of people who are skeptical of its actions and ability to ensure security amid war. These factors could significantly impact the future development of Ukraine's relations with NATO and its integration into European security structures.

For more detailed information on this topic, refer to the material from EuroPravda: "The Trump Effect: How Perceptions and Trust in NATO Have Changed in Ukraine."