Sorry, Zelensky, Americans see a STALEMATE and a Russia-Ukraine war that's ... trends now
Americans by wide margins support continued arms and economic aid for Ukraine, but increasingly see the war as a stalemate and want Washington to push Kyiv to cut a peace deal with Russia soonest, a poll shows.
A survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs think tank found that, despite recent military gains by Ukrainian forces against their Russian foes, US support for Kyiv appears to be waning — especially among Republican voters.
This is worrisome for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's government, which has depended on multi-billion dollar US support and military equipment to counter Russia's invasion, which began on February 24.
Crucially, Americans do not appear to see Ukraine's recent military wins in Kherson and elsewhere in the east as a military game-changer, with polling suggesting the war is ultimately viewed as a stalemate.
'As the fighting drags into winter, the overall US public is now divided on whether the US should support Ukraine as long as it takes or if it should urge Kyiv to settle for peace as soon as possible,' researchers said.
Americans have held huge rallies in support of Ukraine's fight against Russian invaders, like this one in Santa Monica, California, in March, but support for continued US military and economic aid to Kyiv appears to be waning
Nearly half of respondents said neither country had an advantage in the conflict, while an equal percentage held the view that Russia (26 percent) and Ukraine (26 percent) had an upper hand in the fight.
The survey of 1,030 adults last month nevertheless found solid support for continuing to supply Ukraine with weapons (65 percent) and economic aid (66 percent), accepting Ukrainian refugees (73 percent), and sanctioning Russia (75 percent).
But public opinion is qualified — only 40 percent of respondents say US support should be indefinite, and 29 percent say Washington should gradually reduce the amount of weapons and cash Kyiv receives.
Likewise, 47 percent of respondents say the US should push Ukraine to cut a peace deal with Russia, even if that involves Kyiv ceding territory, so that US householders don't shoulder higher gas and food prices — up from 38 percent in July.
Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke at a press conference on US funding for Ukraine at the US Capitol in Washington last month to audit the funds allocated to Kyiv by Congress
Another 48 percent of Americans say Washington should support Ukraine 'as
