Ukrainian artillerymen fire toward Russian positions near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on June 23, 2023. GENYA SAVILOV / AFP via Getty Images
Poll: Many Americans Support Ukraine, Though Some Are Divided on Aid
Respondents were far more supportive of arming Ukraine once they received information about the value of doing so.
A new poll shows a majority of Americans of all political orientations support Ukrainian victory, even while some remain unconvinced of the need to support Ukraine with weapons.
Seventy-six percent of respondents believe Ukraine’s victory is “important for the United States,” according to the June survey by the Reagan Institute. Democrats were somewhat more pro-Ukraine, with 86 percent in favor of Ukrainian victory versus 71 percent of Republicans. Independents were less likely to favor a Ukrainian victory, with 58 percent supporting it.
While Republican Senate and House leaders have been strongly pro-Ukraine, a vocal minority of Republican House members have loudly protested against Ukraine aid. Among those: Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who in February sponsored a bill calling for the U.S. to end military and economic support to Ukraine.
However, some Americans are more willing to support Ukraine’s victory with words than weapons.
While 76 percent support a Ukrainian victory, just 59 percent of Americans said the U.S. should send military aid to Ukraine.
Democrats were far more willing to send weapons to Ukraine than Republicans, with 75 percent in favor of sending weapons versus 50 percent of Republicans.
The Reagan Institute said the finding is “consistent” with its November 2022 survey, which found that 73 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of Republicans said the U.S. should stand with Ukraine.
As with the November survey, those opposed to sending aid most frequently said America needs to deal with its own problems at home first; 57 percent of those who oppose aid cited this reason in the June survey.
However, Americans’ opinions about sending weapons to Ukraine often changed when provided additional information about the aid, potentially suggesting the U.S. government could do a better job communicating the aid’s value.
When asked if the aid sent to Ukraine had been “worth the cost,” 50 percent of respondents said yes, but only 41 percent agreed.
When told that the aid given was just three percent of the Defense Department’s budget, that Ukraine remained in control of much of its territory, and that the war had severely degraded Russian combat capabilities, the number of respondents who approved of the aid jumped to 64 percent.
Gains were largest with Republicans, with 59 percent thinking money on military aid was well spent after being given additional information.
“There exists a reservoir of support among the American people across party lines for assisting the Ukrainians,” a press release by the Reagan Institute said. “Leaders can tap into that reservoir by educating their fellow Americans.”