Two-thirds of Canadians who took part in a poll last weekend said they believe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could escalate into a world war.
The survey was conducted by the firm Léger among 1,519 Canadians and 1,004 Americans from February 25 to 27, just after the launch of the Russian military attack.
A high 89% of respondents said they were worried or very worried about Russia’s decision to invade its neighbour.
The poll also reveals that just over half of Canadians surveyed would approve of Canadian aid being sent to NATO forces to counter Russia.
When participants were asked which of the two countries they supported in the clash, 83% of Canadians said Ukraine, compared to 71% of respondents from the United States.
About three-quarters of Canadians and just over two-thirds of Americans said they believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was lying when he justified the invasion of Ukraine by saying, “I decided to launch a special military operation to protect people who have been subjected to intimidation and genocide over the past eight years. »
Leger’s executive vice-president, Christian Bourque, expressed some surprise that 66% of Canadians polled said they believed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could escalate into a world war. This indicates that respondents perceive that this is much more than a distant war that does not concern them, according to Mr. Bourque, who believes that the concern of Canadians in this regard is probably growing.
Among Canadians surveyed, 45% said they were in favor of tougher economic sanctions against Russia. Just over 20% of respondents said they wanted negotiations to be launched in order to find a peaceful compromise between the parties, while 14% called for military action to help Ukraine defend itself. Barely 2% of respondents favored military intervention against Russia.
On the other hand, 12% of Canadians suggested that the authorities wait before taking action to see how the situation would evolve and 7% maintained that it would be better to do nothing.
A Canadian Armed Forces intervention was supported by 9% of Canadian respondents, but 52% were in favor if it was part of a concerted action by NATO forces. One in ten Canadians refused that Canada provide any military aid, while 13% would accept it sending military equipment and money.