NDI polls: 78% of Georgians say war in Ukraine Russia’s, Putin’s fault

A majority of Georgians say that war in Ukraine is Russia’s (67 percent) and Putin’s fault (11 percent), and demonstrate an overwhelmingly positive attitude towards the Ukrainian people (98 percent), as well as the Ukrainian government (87 percent),says NDI polls released today. 

 

“In the face of Russian citizens’ migration to Georgia, there is significant public support for the introduction of a visa regime for Russian citizens (66 percent). Moreover, 63 percent are pleased with the Georgian President’s response to the war in Ukraine, while the Prime Minister’s actions were assessed as positive by 46 percent,” said the polls. 

 

The polls read that despite a widespread (69 percent) public perception that membership in NATO will increase risks of Russian aggression, the majority of Georgians remain supportive of the alliance membership (71 percent). 

 

“In fact, after the Russian invasion, more people believe NATO will provide greater security to Georgia than before (54 percent versus 40 percent before the invasion),” NDI said, noting that Russian invasion of Ukraine has amplified Georgian’s views that Georgia would benefit from a closer relationship with EU and NATO rather than with Russia. 

 

“Security concerns emanating from Russian aggression have led to a marked increase in public perception that Russia is a threat to its neighbors. There is a 16 percent increase in people who believe Georgia should limit economic ties with Russia (39 percent, versus 23 percent before the invasion),” said the polls.

 

According to NDI, the majority of Georgians remain concerned about the growing Russian influence on Georgia over the last five years, and expect economic decline (80 percent), advancement of pro-Russian actors (57 percent) and Russian military aggression (52 percent) in the coming year. 

 

“Perhaps for these reasons, Georgians remain steadfast in their support for membership in the EU, placing EU at the top of the most desired political and economic partners list. A total of 82 percent approve of joining the EU, mostly naming economic growth and security as the primary reasons for their approval,” NDI said. 

 

46% of interviewees have assessed PM’s reactions to the Russia-Ukraine war positive, while 37%-negative. 63% welcomed the president’s reactions to the war, while 18% disliked them. 

 

64% of the respondents said that they disliked all political parties in Georgia, while 22% expressed support for the ruling Georgian Dream party and seven per cent for the United National Movement. 

 

The results reflected data collected between February 3-15 and March 9-20, through telephone interviews with a nationwide representative sample of Georgia’s adult population, excluding occupied territories. The February poll included 2,036 completed interviews, while the March poll included 2024 completed interviews. The average margin of error is +/- 1.8 percent (February poll), and +/- 1.6 percent (March poll).