Record number of Ukrainians support joining EU, backing for NATO membership falls

Ukrainians want to join the European Union at a record 91% level by March 31, but their support for NATO membership fell in a poll conducted by the Rating research agency on Tuesday.

Despite being around 60% in support of EU membership for the last three years, it started to rise after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, according to Rating, an independent pollster from Ukraine.

This invasion, which was the largest attack on a European country since World War Two, prompted Ukraine to apply for fast track EU membership. Other EU countries have imposed severe sanctions against Russia and received refugees fleeing the conflict.

Rating indicated that support for Ukraine joining NATO rose with the outbreak of war, but has returned to prewar levels of 68%.

Since the invasion, the Western military alliance sent anti-tank weapons and other weapons to Ukraine but not troops. Kyiv's calls for an international no fly zone to protect Ukraine have been rejected by the alliance.

Moscow opposes Ukraine joining NATO. Moscow opposes Ukraine joining NATO.

Rating surveyed 1,500 adults in Ukraine, but not in Russia's annexed Crimea or eastern areas held by Russia supported separatists.