European citizens overwhelmingly back creation of an EU army, survey finds
Some 71% of Europeans want the EU to have its own army, according to new polling results by GLOBSEC, revealing growing unease about Washington's reliability and divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine.
The 2026 Trends report by security think tank GLOBSEC found strong support for a European Union army across member countries, with 82% in Romania, 78% in Lithuania, and 75% in France. Even traditionally skeptical nations like Poland and Bulgaria showed 70% support, alongside 69% in Germany.
Growing Defense Concerns
The findings come as European governments debate strengthening military capabilities amid Russia's continued aggression and uncertainty over the United States' commitment to European security. Nearly eight in ten respondents want stronger European defense capabilities.
GLOBSEC surveyed respondents in 14 countries including 11 EU member states, Ukraine, the UK, and the US. The enthusiasm for European military capabilities doesn't appear to be a rebuke of NATO, with 77% of respondents in NATO countries saying they would vote to remain members.
Military Service Support
There was strong support for reintroducing compulsory military service in countries without it, with 64% of respondents favoring the draft. The highest numbers were found in Czechia, France, Germany, and Slovakia.
Transatlantic Divide
Attitudes toward Washington revealed a growing transatlantic divide. More than one-third of respondents across European countries now consider the United States a security threat, with around half in Germany, France, and Britain sharing that view.
Germany was the only country surveyed where a majority regarded Washington as a security threat.
German Exception
Germany stands apart for attitudes toward Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some 40% of German respondents agreed that Ukraine's treatment of Russian speakers justified the invasion, while 39% believed the West provoked the war. Just over half considered Ukraine's fight important to German security, while nearly six in ten would accept Ukrainian territorial concessions for peace.
The survey highlights a political paradox: voters want a stronger European military while remaining committed to NATO even as confidence in its most powerful member erodes.
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