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Drone attacks on Moscow have exposed division within Russia with some citizens taking to social media to support the attacks on an area dubbed the “Russian Beverly Hills.”
The war is increasingly unpopular in the country which is tightly controlled by Vladimir Putin and the realization that the capitol is not immune from attack has undermined his promises.
In the United States, the attacks on Russia are typically met with approval but what do Americans think of the conflict overall?
New polling finds American adults support the United States aiding Ukraine to various degrees.
The study was published on May 24 and revealed that as of April, 58 percent favor placing sanctions on Russia, with 14 percent opposing, and 27 percent saying neither. Fifty-six percent favor accepting Ukrainian refugees into the United States, with 17 percent opposed, and 27 percent neither favoring nor opposing.
On the U.S. policy of sending weapons to Ukraine, 50 percent support, 23 percent oppose, and 26 percent don’t have an opinion. As for sending government money to Ukraine, 40 percent support, 35 percent oppose, and 24 percent say they neither favor nor oppose.
Approximately seven of 10 adults surveyed for the study believe that Russia is unjustified in invading Ukraine.
Democrats in Congress, far more than Republicans, support the United States in giving Ukraine cash, arms, equipment, and other resources.
Republicans continue to be roundly criticized for their opposition because the United States is bound by treaty to assist Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The agreement was ratified by Congress in 1994 and promised Ukraine military help in exchange for the fledgling democracy voluntarily giving up its nuclear arsenal after the Soviet Union broke up.
Democrats broadly believe that backing Ukraine is in the best interest of American security. Many Republicans see support for Ukraine as meddling in a conflict that doesn’t pose a threat to America and spends money that is needed at home.
In May 2022, the House voted 368-57 to pass the White House’s $40 billion aid bill for Ukraine. All no votes were cast by Republicans. Later in the month, in the Senate, the bill passed, 86-11, with every no vote coming from a GOP senator.
President Biden signed the bill on May 21., 2022
A GOP faction that is particularly opposed to supporting Ukraine is the House Freedom Caucus, whose members include Darrell Issa (Calif.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), and Marjorie Taylor-Greene (Ga.).
Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), a prominent Republican, is taking heat for siding with the Biden administration on the policy of aiding Ukraine. Many consider the position evidence that Graham is a RINO (Republican In Name Only), but supporters say the Senator is abiding by a long-standing treaty and upholding the word of the United States it will stand by its treaties.
Among the announced candidates for the Republican nomination for president, there is no broad consensus on the issue of Ukraine. Yet all agree that American troops should not be sent to fight in the war.
Two-term South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is an advocate for the United States working with its allies to provide Ukraine the tools it needs to win the war. She does not support America giving Ukraine money. Haley says that opposing Russia is a component of a broader and necessary policy that the United States must follow to protect itself from and compete with Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis don’t find the war to present a considerable threat to American interests and have called on the combatants to reach a settlement, whatever the terms.
Biotech magnate Vivek Ramaswamy says that defending Ukraine is not of vital importance to America and opposes sending any more money to the country. Ramaswamy does consider though, that the war and how it has affected American access to oil and gas is evidence that the United States needs to do better in working toward energy independence.
Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina believes that dealing a blow to Russia is in the best interest of the United States but says that support can’t be open-ended.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is a proponent of aiding Ukraine, saying that Russia losing the war will deter China from acting aggressively.
