War in Ukraine, one out of two Italians does not take sides but only 7% are with Moscow. The no to sending weapons prevails – Corriere.it

Italians continue to be concerned about the conflict in Ukraine. Above all, they fear the economic repercussions (more than the humanitarian ones) and do not foresee that the hostilities will cease in the short term (it will take from one to several years). Sympathies towards the country led by Volodymyr Zelensky are declining sharply in favor of a more equidistant attitude or in any case not in favor of one or the other contender. On the other hand, a negative opinion regarding the opportunity to send weapons to Ukraine remains confirmed.

This is the picture that emerges from a survey carried out by the Ipsos Institute for account of Corriere della Sera between 21 and 23 February. A photograph that also provides interesting data to read in terms of internal politics. Especially in the light of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent visit to Kiev and her firm support for the Ukrainian president. Precisely with respect to the sending of arms (seen favorably by 34% of Italians compared to 45% against), in fact, the voters of the premier’s party are in the majority (47% to 39%) against. In the center-right coalition, citizens who vote for Lega (55% to 32%) are even more hostile to new aid, while those in favor prevail only among Forza Italia supporters (51% to 40%).

By contrast, the favor to the sending of weapons by the voters of the Democratic Party (52% to 36%) and of
those of Action-Iv (55% to 33%). The 5 Star Movement sees its hostile line confirmed by its voters (54% against compared to 30% in favour). With these numbers, perhaps the growing cooling of the League towards aid is clearer, while the premier is “challenging” part of her voters and it will be interesting to understand if she will pay a price.«Italians confirm that they are worried (between much and enough, they are 79%) for the persistence of the conflict – explains Nando Pagnoncelli, director of Ipsos – They are above all for its economic repercussions (49%) more than for the humanitarian consequences (14%)”. And there is also a growing fear that the war could “degenerate into a world conflict”. This is because forecasts of a possible ceasefire are not optimistic. For 30% of Italians the war will still last for “several years” while for 30% it will take at least a year to come to a stop.

It is confirmed that the balance leans clearly in favor of Ukraine (47% compared to
7% for Russia), never consensus has dropped by ten points in a year. “On the other hand – observes Pagnoncelli – the share has grown (from 38% to 46%) of those who do not take sides with either party”. Perhaps this is also why the percentage of Italians in favor of sanctions on Russia has dropped over the months (they were 55% in March 2022, they are 46% today, while those against have gone from 31% to 38%). Finally, there is the data relating to the shipment of weapons. The opposites prevailed a year ago (47% against 33%) and the same happens today (45% against 34%) with minimal fluctuations over the course of a year.