A new survey published by Le Parisien this week has surprised commentators by indicating that French youth are well aware of the situation in Ukraine and do not rule out their personal involvement. The article is headed "Renewed Patriotism".
The survey shows that 51% of French youth would consider signing up and fighting in Ukraine and 57% answered affirmatively to a more generally phrased question about readiness to fight - without specific mention of Ukraine. The research combined the results of several surveys, including a questionnaire-based survey by Ipsos on 2 300 French people aged 18-25.
One of the questions specifically mentioning Ukraine was : "If France's defence required its participation in the war in Ukraine, would you be willing to join to defend your country?" Here 51% of French young men and women answered "yes" with 17% saying "definitely yes and 34% answering "probably yes".
In a further question not mentioning Ukraine, 57% of respondents expressed readiness to take up arms to defend France in the event of war.
In terms of political support for France entering the war more actively, Ukraine has much more support among young people than the 50+ age group. The respective figures are 31% and 17%. 62% of respondents (aged 18-25) support a return to compulsory military service, abolished in France in 1997.
Commentators have pointed out that this data was gathered before President Macron began publicly suggesting that western allies could become involved on the ground in Ukraine and so is not a reflection of his influence on public opinion.
Sources: Le Parisien, Ukrainska Pravda
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