Poll: Only 6% of Western Europeans think the US can guarantee European security in the next 10 years

Only a small minority of Britons, French and Germans have a great deal of confidence that the US will guarantee their security over the next decade, according to a survey.

Pollsters YouGov surveyed 3,360 people in Britain, France, Germany and the United States from April 8-15.

Only 6 percent said the United States would be "very reliable" in guaranteeing European security over the next 10 years, while 24 percent said the United States would be very reliable.

It's the first time the question has been asked in the annual survey, but two years after U.S. President Joe Biden staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia, the rate is shockingly low, said senior fellow Hanna. "The United States has made such a big contribution, but only 6 percent of Western Europeans think the United States is very reliable... It shows a lack of confidence in U.S. assurances."

Hanna speculated that the reason for the suspicion may be former President Donald Trump, who described aid to NATO and Ukraine as "wasteful" and said it was unfair to the United States.

Majorities of both Western Europeans and Americans say the United States should maintain or increase the number of troops in Europe, while only a minority say the United States should have "primary" responsibility for Europe's defense.

In France, which has long called for a national security plan, 31 percent said Europe should manage its own national defense and maintain a "more neutral" relationship with the United States, a higher percentage than in other countries.

When asked which head of state has set the most positive example for the world, U.S. President Joe Biden received only a handful of votes. French President Emmanuel Macron won more support, with 33 percent of Germans and 25 percent of French saying he sets the most positive example.