A new poll indicates that 80% of Luxembourgers no longer think that the United States is a dependable partner. Just 8% of the local population view the USA as a country that can be counted on as a partner.

The Ilres survey for RTL polled a representative sample of 500 eligible voters between 7 and 10 March, just days after US President Donald Trump ordered a pause to all military aid to Ukraine.

The poll also found that an overwhelming majority are also in favour of Luxembourg continuing to support Ukraine in some form or other. 45% of those surveyed said that both military and financial support should continue to be provided, with that figure rising to 55% among those aged over 55.

A further 17% said that financial backing alone should be continued, while 9% think Luxembourg should persist in providing military support only.

One-fifth of Luxembourgers, however, are opposed to any form of continued support for Ukraine from the Grand Duchy. Among the 35- to 45-year-old age group that resistance to support for Ukraine rises to 27%, while close to half of those Luxembourgers who still see the United States as a reliable partner were also opposed to providing further financial or military support for Ukraine.

Support for increased defence spending

With Nato members and countries in the European Union under increased pressure to step up military budgets, 73% of Luxembourgers think the government should increase investment in defence. Even among the more sceptical younger generation, those aged 18 to 34 years old, 67% support the idea of spending more on defence.

While 19% of Luxembourgers are opposed to an increase in the Grand Duchy’s military budget, 32% of them also thought that the United States is a dependable partner.

Close to 70% of those in favour of stepping up defence spending were among the 63% of Luxembourgers who say they fear an attack by Russia. The younger age group are the most concerned about possible military aggression from Vladimir Putin, with 73% of 18- to 34-year-olds saying they are fearful. But almost a quarter of Luxembourgers said they did not fear an attack, with a large disparity between men (34%) and women (15%).

Luxembourg currently plans to spend around €800 million on defence in 2025, which is equivalent to 1.32% of gross national income. The Grand Duchy aims to meet a target of spending 2% of GNI by 2030.

The survey also addressed the prospect of Luxembourg troops being deployed to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping deal. Just over half of those polled agreed that Luxembourg should send soldiers to Ukraine, with overwhelming support (61%) for the idea coming from the vast majority of them the over 55s. But a third of the population is opposed to Luxembourg troops being part of any peacekeeping force.

In an address to parliament on 4 March, Prime Minister Luc Frieden said that the Grand Duchy was prepared to send troops to help keep any peace deal, adding that the history books will record that the country “was on the right side in 2025”.