War in Ukraine, cost of living and climate: Which challenges feel most urgent to Europeans and why?

Amid sliding optimism in the EU’s future, almost half of EU citizens believe the war in Ukraine remains the bloc’s top challenge, as European leaders warn Trump’s peace plan needs work.

Optimism for the EU’s future has slumped among Europeans, despite more than half still saying that they feel hopeful

This is according to a recent Flash Eurobarometer survey, which found that levels of optimism fell by six percentage points compared with the same time last year.

“An analysis of individual member states indicates this decline is widespread,” the report states.

Malta (from 73% to 57%), Austria (from 51% to 41%), Italy (from 60% to 50%), and Greece (from 48% to 39%) have seen the biggest drops.

Hopefulness about the EU’s future tends to be higher among younger respondents.

“This drop in optimism signals that citizens perceive a leadership vacuum at the European level,” Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law and Policy at HEC Paris, told Europe in Motion. “When faced with geopolitical pressure, economic uncertainty, and the opportunity to forge genuine European independence, EU leaders have instead chosen accommodation — particularly toward US demands on both trade policy and regulatory autonomy.”

“Older respondents, unlike younger ones still building their expectations, can measure today’s tepid response against previous moments when Europe demonstrated more resolve in defending its interests and values,” he added.

Overall, Europeans believe that the EU’s main strength lies in its respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law (36%).

In 16 member states, most said that this was the EU’s best strength, with respondents in Luxembourg (43%), Denmark (45%), and Portugal (46%) putting it up top.

Europeans also praised the EU’s economic, industrial, and trading power, with five member states mentioning it as the top strength.

This applies especially to Ireland (43%), the Netherlands (41%), Lithuania (36%), Slovenia (36%) and France (35%).

Just over a quarter of the respondents claim that the good relationships and solidarity among EU countries are the bloc’s best asset.

The overall highest proportion of respondents sharing this view was seen in Finland (38%), whilst the lowest was found in Italy and Hungary (both 23%).

What major hurdles face the EU right now?

Almost half of EU respondents think the war in Ukraine remains the bloc’s top challenge, just as a new US peace proposal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine emerged.

It was said to be the biggest challenge in 21 member states, with respondents in Lithuania (64%), Finland (62%), and Denmark (61%) specifically stating is the EU’s top priority.

Last Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU has three key criteria for any peace deal.

“First, borders cannot be changed by force,” she wrote in a statement. “Second, as a sovereign nation, there cannot be limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security.”

“Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected,” she added.

Last week, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, also doubled down on calls for Europeans to have a seat at the table in any Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations.

“Our position has not changed,” Kallas said after a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on 20 November. “For any peace plan to succeed, it has to be supported by Ukraine, and it has to be supported by Europe.”

The other main challenges cited by Europeans are irregular migration at 38%, and the cost of living and climate issues, both at 29%.

A large majority of Europeans believe that the EU should diversify its trade relations with countries all over the world to strengthen its economic independence and support EU businesses.

Some 81% of respondents agree that the EU should take action to help EU industries become more competitive and decarbonise, while 82% agree that the EU should take action to support fairness across social groups and generations.