According to a study by the think tank Destin Commun, published on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in four European newspapers, 59% of French citizens describe U.S. President Donald Trump as a “dictator.” Additionally, nearly eight out of ten French citizens express concern over the potential expansion of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine into the rest of Europe in the coming years.
Majority in France, Germany, and the UK View Trump as a Dictator
More than half of respondents in France (59%), Germany (59%), and the United Kingdom (56%) share the view that Trump is a dictator. In Poland, 47% of those surveyed hold the same opinion. This sentiment arises as Trump attempts to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow, the study notes.
The opinion poll, also published by Die Welt (Germany), The Sunday Times (United Kingdom), and Rzeczpospolita (Poland), comes at a time when Ukraine is struggling on the battlefield against Russian forces and facing harsh criticism from Trump. Just this past week, Washington suspended its military aid and intelligence support for Kyiv. In response, European nations are rallying to compensate for the loss of U.S. assistance and to establish a credible continental defense.
Growing Fears of Russian Expansion
Sixty percent of French respondents believe it is “likely” that Russia will invade other European countries in the coming years. This concern is even higher in the United Kingdom and Poland, where 68% of respondents fear such a scenario, compared to 53% in Germany.
The survey also indicates that 35% of French citizens feel greater sympathy for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his contentious meeting with Trump in Washington in late February, while only 9% say their sympathy has decreased.
Moreover, only a quarter of French respondents still consider the United States an ally. More than half (57%) struggle to define the relationship, hesitating to acknowledge a potential shift in alliances.
Widespread Concern About a Broader European War
Nearly eight in ten French respondents (76%) express concern or deep concern about the possible expansion of the war in Europe in the coming years. Similarly, 66% of Polish and British citizens support continued aid to Ukraine, even without U.S. backing. In France, 57% favor ongoing support, while in Germany, the figure stands at 54%.
The idea of deploying a peacekeeping mission following a potential agreement remains divisive. The proposal receives 57% support in the United Kingdom, 44% in France, 41% in Germany, and just 27% in Poland.
Support for Reinstating Mandatory Military Service
The study also reveals that 61% of French respondents favor reinstating some form of mandatory military service, with strong support from right-wing and far-right political groups. France abolished compulsory military service in the late 1990s.
Support for reinstating the draft increases with age: 72% of those aged 65 and older support the idea, compared to only 43% of respondents aged 18-24.
Survey Methodology
The online survey was conducted in France, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with a sample size of over 1,000 respondents per country. The study followed quota sampling methods, considering factors such as gender, age, occupation, education level, and region.