In 2025, residents of Spain and Italy were among those Europeans who could not single out one country as the main threat to their security. According to a recent survey, about one-fifth of Spaniards and Italians believe their states face dangers from both Russia and the United States. Notably, the difference between these two countries in perceived threats is minimal, setting them apart from other European nations.
While in Spain 22% of respondents point to Russia and 19% to the United States, in Italy these figures are 20% and 17% respectively. This closeness in perceptions suggests that Spaniards and Italians are reluctant to trust either of the world powers fully. This contrasts with attitudes in countries closer to the Russian border.
In Northern and Eastern Europe, concerns about Russia are noticeably higher. For example, in Denmark, more than half of respondents consider Moscow the most serious threat, and in Lithuania and Poland this figure also exceeds 50%. In Germany and France, 36% and 31% respectively express concern about Russia, which is significantly lower than among their eastern neighbors.
However, Europeans’ concerns are not limited to foreign policy risks. For Spaniards and French people, illegal immigration is the biggest worry, while Italians are most concerned about the possibility of armed conflict. These differences highlight how unevenly European societies perceive modern threats and how strongly this perception is shaped by geography and domestic issues.
