A new Ipsos poll reveals that while most Czechs still hold Russians accountable for the war in Ukraine, their support for aiding refugees is waning.
Only one in three respondents believes that Ukrainian refugees bring economic benefits to the country. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,060 people, highlights a growing skepticism about the long-term impact of the refugee situation.
More than 55 percent of respondents place responsibility for the war on Russia, while nearly a quarter blame Ukraine. When asked about the integration of Ukrainian refugees into Czech society, opinions were divided, with responses split “half and half.” “The country is very divided. After three years of war, we are at odds on how much support Ukrainians should receive or whether they are a burden on the economy. This is still one of the main topics in public debates,” says Michal Kormanyak, an analyst from Ipsos.
According to Kormanyak, fatigue from the ongoing conflict is contributing to the shift in public opinion. “For five years, after the COVID pandemic, people have been living in crisis situations that follow each other and intertwine in different ways. We’ve had high inflation, and the cost of living has increased,” he explains.
When asked about the type of assistance the Czech Republic should continue offering to Ukraine, less than 37% of respondents expressed support for ongoing aid, while over 40% favored halting it altogether. Respondents rated their answers on a scale from 1 to 7, with 4 representing a neutral stance.
Currently, over 400,000 Ukrainians live in the Czech Republic under temporary protection.
