A third of Germans fear Nato-Russia war over Ukraine, poll finds

Ukrainian servicemen drive a military armoured vehicle along a road in Donetsk region on August 6, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Ukrainian servicemen drive a military armoured vehicle along a road in Donetsk region on August 6, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BERLIN (REUTERS) - One in three Germans thinks a war could break out between Russia and Nato over the conflict in Ukraine, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday, a finding that helps explain the country's cautious approach to the crisis.

Germans, whose country was devastated in World War II and split into East and West during the Cold War, have applauded Chancellor Angela Merkel's efforts to prevent an escalation of Russia-Nato tensions.

Germany long resisted US calls for tougher sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Crimea, and shifted position only after the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was downed over Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Nato said Russia may be poised to invade Ukraine, as it has amassed 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine's eastern border.

In a Forsa Institute poll of 1,001 people published by the weekly magazine Stern, 33 per cent said they would not exclude war as a result of the Ukraine crisis, while 62 per cent said war was unlikely.

Some 41 per cent of women polled on July 30 and July 31 said war was possible, while only 21 per cent of the men surveyed agreed.

The European Union and the United States agreed further sanctions against Russia over last week.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.