Poll: U.S., Europeans Back Ukraine despite Fears of Russia Conflict

A majority of Europeans and Americans want their governments to support Ukraine, even if that means a risk of greater conflict with Russia, a survey suggested on Wednesday.

In its annual survey of public opinion in 13 major countries, the German Marshall Fund of the United States think tank found that the Ukraine crisis had entrenched mutual suspicion between Russia and the West.

The poll showed that 57 percent of people in the United States and 58 percent of Europeans believe authorities should "provide economic and political support to Ukraine even if it causes conflict with Russia."

Moreover, a majority of Americans said they would welcome Ukraine joining the NATO alliance -- sure to deepen the crisis with Russia -- and most Europeans were willing to offer EU membership to Kiev.

Kiev announced its intentions to relaunch negotiations to join the Western military alliance in August but Russia's EU envoy warned Tuesday that would represent "an unprecedented challenge to European security, the biggest since the collapse of the Berlin Wall."

Nearly two-thirds of Americans and Europeans were of the view that Russia should be slapped with tougher sanctions over its activities in Ukraine, as EU nations prepared for fresh talks on the issue later Wednesday.

On the other side of the fence, a majority of Russians (53 percent) surveyed said Moscow should act to maintain its influence in Ukraine, even if there was a risk of conflict with the EU.

The crisis appears to have dramatically soured relations between Russia and the West.

A total of 71 percent of Americans said their opinion of Russia was unfavorable -- a rise of 12 percentage points since 2013 and 23 percentage points since 2012. Europeans were scarcely more charitable, with 68 percent holding an unfavorable opinion.

And the feeling's mutual: 72 percent of Russians held an unfavorable view of the United States (up 31 percentage points since 2012).

Perhaps in response to President Vladimir Putin's charm offensive on China, Russians appeared much more favorable towards the powerful partner to the east.

Seventy-seven percent of Russians held a favorable opinion of China (up 14 percentage points since 2012).

For the first time, a majority of U.S. respondents said they disapproved of Barack Obama's handling of foreign affairs, while European approval of the U.S. president dropped but was still broadly favorable (64 percent compared to 69 percent last year).

In Europe, Obama's popularity shot down especially fast in Germany, amid an ongoing spat between Washington and Berlin over revelations the White House spied on top German leaders, including Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Approval of Obama's handling of international affairs plunged from 76 percent last year to 56 percent in Germany.

In Russia, only seven percent voiced approval of Obama as the Ukraine crisis took its toll.

However, Russians overwhelmingly backed Putin's handling of international affairs, with 83 percent voicing approval of their own government -- the highest of any country polled.

The lowest level of support came in Greece, where a meager 28 percent said they approved of their government, which is battling to get the country back on its feet after a crippling economic crisis.

The German Marshall Fund poll was conducted in 13 countries, with around 1,000 people surveyed in each country, apart from in Russia, where 1,500 people were polled.