A majority of Belgium's population is worried about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a survey by Le Soir. Respondents want further sanctions but no direct military involvement.
At least 90% of those polled are stressed by Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" in Ukraine, while less than one in ten say they are not afraid of the war. The vast majority of Belgium's population are either "quite scared" or "very scared", with no difference between the north or south of the country.
Fears surrounding an escalation of the conflict to the entire European continent worry respondents the most. Those polled also worry about the risk of nuclear attacks, which has seen iodine pills pulled from the shelves of some pharmacies. Belgians are concerned with how long Ukrainian resistance can hold out against Russia, with more than 60% fearing a complete occupation of the country.
Women and the elderly are the most worried.
Getting tougher on Putin
Europe could do more in the form of more sanctions to support Ukraine, the poll suggests. Last week's EU summit delivered little in the way of additional measures, which 46% of respondents found unsatisfactory.
A majority of Belgians support sending weapons to Ukrainian fighters. However, a quarter of those questioned considers this option a "bad thing".
Sending Belgian soldiers against the Russian tanks is an option that the overwhelming majority of respondents strongly opposes. So far, Belgium has sent weapons to Ukraine, but Belgian soldiers themselves have not gone further than the Romanian border.
No faith in the army
Despite the recent €1 billion boost to Belgian defense, the population at large has little faith in the Belgian army should conflict spread to the rest of Europe. More than 70% of respondents say that the army wouldn't be able to defend Belgium. Regional scepticism varies, with 76% of those in Flanders who don't believe in the strength of Belgium's army, compared to 62% of Walloons and 58% of Brussels residents.
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There are mixed feelings about compulsory military service – only Wallonia does a majority think that conscription should be reintroduced. The survey found opinions carried across age groups as well. Those over 55, who would no longer be eligible for combat, think that military service should be mandatory. Meanwhile, 75% of 18- to 34-year-olds, who would be called upon to fight, are not in favour of this.
The only thing most respondents agreed upon was that if military service were to become mandatory, it should to apply for both young men and women.
