More than half of all Belgians polled say it is likely that Russia will launch a military attack against a NATO member state according to the results of ‘De Stemming’, a large-scale survey commissioned by VRT NEWS, daily De Standaard and the Francophone broadcaster RTBF. Belgians are clearly following international security issues due to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
People’s concerns are significant, as they help to determine whether or not an issue will be on the political agenda.
‘Can you say in your own words what is the biggest problem currently facing the world?’ respondents were asked. In general, the answers in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels were roughly along the same lines.
43 per cent of Flemings consulted believe the international security situation is the biggest concern. In Wallonia, anxiety is even higher (47 per cent), in Brussels slightly lower (39 per cent). Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, more and more people fear that Moscow will not stop at Ukraine.
53 per cent of Flemings surveyed consider a Russian invasion of a NATO country ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’. In Wallonia the figure is 58 per cent, in Brussels 52 per cent. Relatively more voters of Flemish socialist Vooruit and Flemish liberal Open VLD fear an attack against a NATO country. Flemish Christian democrat voters are more confident.
Belgians appear slightly less worried about an attack on their own country: in Flanders, 58 per cent consider a military invasion here unlikely (16 per cent consider it likely), in Wallonia 52 per cent (23 per cent likely) and in Brussels 59 per cent (22 per cent likely). Worry about a possible attack against Belgium is highest among voters of far right Vlaams Belang and Communist PVDA.
‘De Stemming’ is an annual survey commissioned by VRT NEWS, daily De Standaard and Francophone broadcaster RTBF and conducted by the University of Antwerp and the Université Libre de Bruxelles, the ULB. The survey was staged in March 2025.