Too Often Hurt, Majority of Europeans Want to "Divorce" from the US
Relations between the European continent and Washington are at a low point following a recent survey showing that the majority of Europeans want to break free from US influence. Based on a poll from the German research institute Bertelsmann Stiftung, around 70% of residents in the European Union (EU) and the UK believe it is time for Europe to “go it alone”.
Citing a report from Russia Today on Thursday (07/05/2026), the study indicates that approximately 73% of respondents across the EU believe the continent should distance itself from Washington’s influence. Similar sentiments are strongly prevalent in the UK, where 67% of respondents expressed a desire to be free from the US grip.
This sentiment has reportedly grown steadily across the bloc in recent years, up from 63% in 2024. Distrust towards the US has also surged sharply, with only 42% of citizens still considering Washington a reliable partner, down from 46% last year.
The survey, released on Thursday, is based on opinion samples from around 18,000 respondents across the 27 EU member states and about 2,000 respondents in the UK.
The poll, conducted in March this year, targeted residents aged between 18 and 69 to reflect the current population distribution in terms of age, gender, and population density.
In recent years, EU politicians have repeatedly called for greater independence from Washington, particularly in foreign policy and security matters. This rhetoric has intensified following US President Donald Trump’s second inauguration at the beginning of last year.
In the past year, the US has repeatedly clashed with its European allies, from a brief trade war to debates over differing approaches to the Ukraine conflict.
Additionally, Washington’s threats to seize Greenland from Denmark and other issues have further soured the atmosphere.
The situation reportedly worsened after the US-Israel attack on Iran, which was not supported by Washington’s European allies. Moreover, the hostilities in the Middle East have caused disruptions to global oil and gas supplies, an issue that has severely impacted many European countries.