Turks see Spain as the world's friendliest country

Spain has become the country most warmly viewed by people in Turkey, according to a record result in MetroPOLL Research's annual Turkey's Pulse survey.

The poll questioned 1,236 people across 28 Turkish provinces. Respondents rated countries as either friendly or hostile toward Turkey. Spain led the friendly list by a wide margin, with 55.2% choosing the positive description. Ukraine followed at 41.1%, ahead of Iran at 40.5% and Qatar at 40.3%.

Turkey's view of Russia was sharply divided. While 37.9% of respondents considered Russia friendly, 40.4% described it as hostile, reflecting the contrasting perceptions of Ankara's relationship with Moscow.

Israel ranked first among countries viewed as hostile, with 84.7%. The United States followed at 68.1%, then the United Kingdom at 62.5% and France at 58.8%. The survey said Israel and the United States have consistently occupied the top positions in that category, while Israel's image has deteriorated rapidly in Turkish society.

MetroPOLL analysts linked Spain's rise mainly to the foreign policy of Pedro Sánchez's government. Madrid has strongly criticized Israel's military operations and openly supported Palestinians and Gaza's population. That position appears to have resonated in Turkey, where the Palestinian issue carries considerable emotional and political weight. Spain's current score exceeds the previous series record, held by Japan from 2023 to 2025, when its best result was 45.3%.