High levels of support for European Union accession in Ukraine during the war in 2022. An analysis based on the ReUP study

Abstract

The relationship between Ukraine and the European Union (EU) has received increasing international attention in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Using data collected as part of the Resettlement of Ukrainians Panel Study (ReUP), we analyse in this DeZIM.insights working paper the drivers of three dimensions of support towards the EU: positive attitude, attachment, and support for EU accession. We relate support with different concepts such as communal identity and with sociodemographic variables such as age, education, and gender. We find that support among Ukrainians for EU accession is high and that overall attitudes towards the EU are positive. Our multivariate analyses reveal that communal identity and regional origins in particular appear to be drivers of an orientation towards the EU. Regarding sociodemographic variables, we find higher levels of support among the oldest age group (respondents aged 51 years and older) on all three levels, and a higher feeling of attachment with the EU among respondents with a university degree.