Interest in the situation in Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict with Russia for nearly three years, is on the decline among the Czech population.
According to a recent survey by the Public Opinion Research Centre (CVVM), only 43% of Czechs were following the conflict’s developments in the last quarter of 2024. This marks a 14 percentage-point drop compared to the beginning of the previous year.
Alongside declining interest, opposition to the Czech government’s support for Ukraine is also increasing. The survey found that 58% of respondents disagreed with the government’s actions, the highest level of opposition since Russia’s invasion began. This is a significant shift from the widespread support seen early in the conflict, when nearly 80% of Czechs expressed interest in the situation and 58% backed the government’s assistance to Ukraine.
The CVVM survey also revealed a shift in public sentiment: 36% of Czechs now support the government’s stance on Ukraine, while 30% strongly disagree, and 28% somewhat disagree. Opposition to the government’s position has increased by four percentage points in the past year, with a notable rise in the number of people who strongly oppose the support measures.
While interest in Ukraine’s situation is waning, certain groups remain more engaged. Interest is notably higher among older individuals, those with higher education, and political enthusiasts. Men and those living in large cities, particularly among voters of certain political parties such as SPOLU, STAN, Pirates, KSČM, and Přísaha, show the highest levels of engagement.
Despite growing opposition to the Czech government’s actions, most Czechs still view Russia as a significant threat. 73% perceive the situation as a threat to global peace, 71% consider it a threat to European security, and 66% see it as a threat to Czech security. However, compared to earlier periods of heightened interest, these figures have slightly decreased, although they remain higher than during previous international conflicts, such as the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2015.
The survey also highlights differing opinions on specific forms of support. While 49% of Czechs support Russia’s political and economic isolation, 45% favor providing financial aid to Ukraine, and 42% back supplying military equipment. However, only 11% of Czechs are in favor of sending troops to fight in Ukraine.
The survey was conducted between September 12 and November 28, 2024, involving 1,008 respondents. It illustrates a shift in public opinion regarding the Czech Republic’s role in the Ukraine crisis as the conflict continues to evolve.
