As the Ukraine war rages, several myths circulate that do more damage on the battlefield than drones and weapons. These misconceptions aim to discourage Ukraine and diminish Western support.
One such myth is that American public opinion is opposed to the war. Some media have managed to create the impression that Americans are tired of the war and resent having to support the war effort.
A recent poll, however, shows that this impression is false. Most Americans support Ukraine’s right to self-defend against Russia’s unjust war of aggression.
A Different War
Like all wars, everyone wants to see them end. The present invasion has prolonged far beyond what was expected. However, most Americans do not favor ending the war at any price. The painful images of Afghanistan still haunt the public. Most do not want to see those tragic scenes repeated by a sudden withdrawal of American aid.
However, Ukraine is different in many ways. Unlike other wars where America had boots on the ground, Ukraine’s war of self-defense is fought solely by the Ukrainians themselves, with some help from foreign volunteers. Ukraine does not have any country like North Korea that has sent tens of thousands of troops to shore up Russia’s lagging efforts. Ukraine has not only survived three brutal years against its giant neighbor but inflicted huge casualties on the invader. It has improvised, dared, and innovated with weaponry and drones and, so far, has kept Russia at bay.
No Shift of Opinion
Some people interpret the White House’s shift in support for Ukraine as an indicator of a general shift of the American public against the war. However, a recent poll commissioned by Razom suggests that this negative impression does not reflect the sentiment of the nation as a whole, even among Republican voters.
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In February, the 1892 Polling company surveyed 2,024 GOP primary voters to get their views on Ukraine. The idea was to reach the most faithful Republican core voters.
The results reflected broad support for the invaded country. A majority of 69 percent labeled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict. Some 60 percent supported continued military aid under certain conditions. When told of Russia’s kidnapping of 19,000 Ukrainian children from the territories it occupied, that support rose to 71 percent.
Overwhelming Dislike for Putin
The poll sample also represented President Trump’s most faithful base. Indeed, among those polled, 83% have a favorable opinion of the president. Over half (53%) self-identified as “Trump Republicans.”
Curiously, the poll found that Republican voters dislike Vladimir Putin in the same proportion as they like President Trump—an overwhelming 83%. They are split in their opinion of Volodymyr Zelensky, with 43% seeing him favorably and 45% unfavorably.
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Voters also had no doubts about who started the war. The myth that NATO expansion forced Putin’s hand is overwhelmingly rejected.
The voters were asked which proposition best represented their opinion:
- that Mr. Putin launched an unprovoked war to subjugate Ukraine, or
- that NATO expansion and Ukrainian belligerence sparked the war.
The voters chose the first proposition by a margin of 70% to 75%.
In addition, supporting Ukraine proved popular with primary voters. All Republican House members who voted for Ukraine aid in April 2024 won their primaries.
Ukraine has been wronged in this conflict, and Americans see this clearly.
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The fact is that Ukraine is valiantly resisting despite all odds. The intrepid nation can continue to resist and win as long as it receives sufficient aid.
However, another conclusion is that the American people sympathize with the Ukrainians. Declaring that Americans are tired of supporting the war is unsupported by the facts. The Polling 1892 survey reveals the truth that America views Ukraine’s war of self-defense as just and worthy of support.
It is time to stand up to Vladimir Putin’s might-equals-right bullying, not back down.
Photo Credit: © Anton Gvozdikov – stock.adobe.com