5.2.22
Two months after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Americans are stalwart in their support of the embattled country, with a large, bipartisan majority supporting increased sanctions against Russia and most also backing military and humanitarian support for Ukrainians, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. In all, 73 percent say the United States is doing either the right amount or too little to support Ukraine. The findings suggest that Biden’s policies largely reflect Americans’ preferences when it comes to the Russian invasion. Biden has steadily ramped up military and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv — he asked Congress on Thursday for another $33 billion in such funding — while regularly tightening sanctions on Moscow. But he has also been quick to stress that he will not send Americans to Ukraine or take other actions, such as implementing a no-fly zone, that could lead to a direct military clash with Russia.
“The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen,” Biden said last week in urging more aid to Ukraine. “We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine.” But even among those concerned that sanctions are spurring inflation, 64 percent support increasing them, as do 67 percent of Americans overall. A Pew Research Center survey found that 70 percent said Russia is an enemy rather than a competitor or partner, up from 41 percent who said the same in January. Of those who voted for Biden, 64 percent support more military aid for Ukraine, as do 52 percent of those who voted for President Donald Trump. And 83 percent of Americans who voted for Biden support more humanitarian aid for Ukraine, as do 67 percent of Americans who voted for Trump.