Majority of Americans Disagree with Trump's Strategy in Ukraine Conflict; Skepticism Surrounds Expected Peace Outcome
Rewritten Article:
The Latest on Trump's Approach to Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Americans express their doubts over President Donald Trump's strategy for settling the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as revealed in a fresh CNN survey conducted by SSRS. A majority view Trump's handling of the conflict negatively, with 50% stating his approach harms the United States.
Current diplomatic efforts aim to persuade Russia to agree to a temporary truce in the nearly four-year war ignited by Russia's invasion. While the Biden administration has unequivocally branded Russia responsible for the conflict and fiercely advocated for Ukraine, Trump has accused Ukraine of provoking the war and labeled President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator, drawing criticism from both European allies and domestic critics.
CNN's latest survey reveals that 59% of Americans find it unlikely or extremely unlikely that Trump's approach will bring long-lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, compared to 41% who believe it is at least somewhat likely. The poll also reveals a general disapproval towards Trump's handling of the US relationship with Russia (59%) and the situation in Ukraine (55%).
Half of Americans believe that Trump's approach to the Russia-Ukraine war harms the US, versus 29% who think it benefits the US (20% feel it has no impact). This sentiment mirrors Americans' broader opinions on Trump's foreign policy moves during his second term: while 30% regard his decisions as positive for America's standing in the world, over half (54%) view them negatively.
Republicans exhibit some reservations about Trump's foreign policy, with 15% viewing his decisions as hurting America's standing, 18% criticizing his approach to the Russia-Ukraine war, and 28% doubting its potential for long-term peace. Democrats, however, overwhelmingly hold negative views of Trump's foreign policy choices.
Deep Partisan Splits
The poll shows that Americans predominantly view Ukraine as an ally (72%) or friendly nation (28%) and Russia as an adversary (81%). The number of Americans considering Ukraine an ally has increased by 7 points since 2014, soon after Russia's annexation of Crimea. Negative sentiments towards Russia have also intensified since then, with the proportion describing Russia as an enemy rising from 25% in 2014 to 44% in the latest survey.
Americans are almost evenly split on whether the US is providing adequate support to Ukraine in its war with Russia (30% too much, 38% too little, and 30% the right amount). On the brink of Trump's second term, 30% of Americans believed the US was providing too little assistance to Ukraine.
The public's opinion on Trump's handling of the Russia-Ukraine war sharply divides along party lines, with 84% of Republicans approving of Trump's approach compared to just 10% of Democrats. Democrats, however, express a strong sentiment that the US is not doing enough to help Ukraine against Russia (approx. 66%), while approximately half of Republicans believe the US is providing too much aid.
In terms of perceptions of key players, the poll indicates that more Americans view Zelensky positively than negatively (39% vs. 33%, with 28% expressing no opinion). The public, however, views both Trump (42% favorable to 52% unfavorable) and Vice President JD Vance (33% to 44%) in a predominantly negative light.
Doubts in Trump's International Relationship Approach
A majority of Americans express negative opinions towards Trump's broader approach to foreign affairs, with nearly 6 in 10 disapproving of his handling of foreign policy and 56% viewing him as an ineffective world leader. Furthermore, 54% believe Trump's cuts to federal programs will harm America's standing in the world.
These criticisms of Trump's foreign policy come amid a chaotic early term, during which he has threatened to seize territories from allies, frozen foreign aid programs, imposed a wide range of tariffs (including those targeting major trading partners Canada and Mexico), cut off military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine, and suggested a plan to displace all Palestinians from Gaza.
Americans are evenly divided on whether the US should play a leading role in tackling international issues (51% say it should, 49% say it should not). This sentiment transcends party lines, with 58% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans supporting a leading role for the US.
Shifting Perceptions of Allies and Adversaries
The poll also reveals a shift in American perceptions of traditional European allies, as well as increased hostility towards Canada and Mexico.
Views towards Great Britain, Germany, France, Canada, and Mexico—all former allies—have deteriorated since August 2018. While 58% currently view Great Britain as an ally, this number has dropped from 66% in 2018. The same pattern applies to Germany, France, Canada, and Mexico, with decreasing percentages considering them allies.
Americans' opinions of Israel have also become slightly more negative. Although 73% continue to view Israel as an ally or friendly nation, the 27% viewing it as unfriendly or an enemy represents the highest share since 2000.
Respondents continue to view Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China unfavorably, with 88%, 85%, 81%, and 74% respectively considering them unfriendly or enemies of the United States. When it comes to Saudi Arabia, poll findings suggest an even split, with 50% viewing it as an ally or friendly nation, and 49% viewing it as unfriendly or an enemy.
Overall, 34% say the US is doing too much for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, with 47% stating the US is providing the right amount of support and 19% believing it provides too little. In January 2024, 29% of Americans held the same view regarding Israel.
The CNN poll was collected by SSRS from March 6-9 among a national sample of 1,206 US adults drawn from a probability-based panel. The survey's margin of error is ±3.3 percentage points.
CNN Contributors: Ariel Edwards-Levy and Jennifer Agiesta
- In 2024, while a majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of the US relationship with Russia and the situation in Ukraine, some Republicans express reservations about his foreign policy decisions, particularly in regard to the Russia-Ukraine war ceasefire.
- Despite increased negative sentiments towards Russia since 2014, Americans are equally divided on whether the US is providing adequate support to Ukraine against Russia, with 30% believing the US is providing too little assistance and approximately half of Republicans holding this view.
- In response to Trump's foreign policy moves, 59% of Americans find it unlikely or extremely unlikely that his approach to the Russia-Ukraine war will bring long-lasting peace, and they also disapprove of his tariffs imposed on major trading partners like Canada and Mexico.
