Story Highlights
- Most Americans support Ukraine’s effort, even in prolonged conflict
- 39% say U.S. doing right amount to aid Ukraine, 28% too much, 30% not enough
- Republicans are more likely than others to say the U.S. is doing too much
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly one year into the war between Russia and Ukraine, Americans’ support for Ukraine holds steady. A stable 65% of U.S. adults prefer that the United States support Ukraine in reclaiming its territory, even if that results in a prolonged conflict. Meanwhile, 31% continue to say they would rather see the U.S. work to end the war quickly, even if this allows Russia to keep its territory.
These data are from a Gallup web survey conducted Jan. 3-22, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict was at a relative stalemate and negotiations were underway among the U.S., Germany and other Western allies, who were contemplating intensifying their military support for the country to include tanks. Shortly after the poll was conducted, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would send 31 tanks to Ukraine.
Partisan Differences on Ukraine War
The Biden administration has made support for Ukraine a cornerstone of its foreign policy. This may explain the party differences seen on this question -- with Democrats far more supportive than Republicans and independents -- though majorities of all three party groups favor Ukraine’s continuing to fight to reclaim its former territory.
Independents are much closer in their views to Republicans -- and the general public -- on both approaches to the conflict, perhaps highlighting how Democrats have rallied around the president’s current policy on the war.
U.S. Doing Too Much or Too Little in Ukraine?
More Americans (39%) say the support being offered to Ukraine in the war is the right amount than think the U.S. is not doing enough (30%) or is doing too much (28%).
Nearly half of Republicans, 47%, say the U.S. is doing too much, while 48% of Democrats say American involvement is about right. Most of the rest of Democrats, 41%, say the U.S. is not doing enough. Independents are evenly divided between the two camps, with 35% each saying the U.S. is doing too much and the right amount. Democrats are more likely than independents and Republicans to think the U.S. is not doing enough.
Republican leaders’ concerns about Ukraine policy have focused on keeping the U.S. far from any direct conflict with Russia and not offering what some have called a “blank check” to the country. Other concerns have centered on the transparency of the Ukrainian government.
Bottom Line
As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, Americans’ support for the nation, despite a prolonged conflict, has held steady. Although the degree of support varies, majorities of all party groups would like to see the U.S. support Ukraine in regaining its territory, even if that entails a prolonged conflict, rather than end the conflict quickly and cede territory to Russia.
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