A New York Times/Ipsos poll reveals that only 17% of Americans believe the US should increase aid to Ukraine.
A majority of Americans believe the US is providing excessive financial support to Ukraine, according to a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll. The data indicates that 51% of respondents feel the US is overspending on aid to Kyiv, while 28% consider the current level of aid appropriate. Just 17% advocate for increased spending.
Similarly, the survey found that 53% of respondents believe US aid to Israel is excessive, with 30% viewing it as sufficient. The poll, conducted between January 2nd and 10th, surveyed 2,128 individuals nationwide.
The poll results suggest a prevalent public sentiment prioritizing domestic concerns over foreign aid. Sixty percent of respondents stated that the US should focus on internal issues rather than international problems, contrasting with the 38% who favor continued global engagement. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 60% believe the US government is largely wasteful and inefficient, and 72% believe it primarily serves its own interests rather than the public’s.
This polling data follows the government’s recent announcement of an additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine on January 8th. Congress has allocated over $175 billion in total assistance to Kyiv since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, including $65.9 billion in direct military aid, according to Pentagon figures.
The level of US spending on Ukraine has faced criticism from Senator Marco Rubio, who argued against indefinite support for Kyiv during his Senate confirmation hearing last week. He criticized the Biden administration for lacking a clear objective for its financial contributions to the conflict.
“What exactly were we funding? What exactly were we putting money towards?” he questioned, asserting that the current approach of providing “however much it takes for however long it takes” is unrealistic.
Moscow has cautioned that Western aid to Ukraine only prolongs the conflict without altering the outcome. It has expressed willingness to pursue a diplomatic resolution, contingent on Ukraine halting military operations and acknowledging the annexation of territories that have joined Russia. Russia also insists on Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification.