Reagan Institute Poll: Ukraine Support 'Enduring' Despite Skepticism

Despite reports to the contrary, Americans are not growing fatigued with supporting Ukraine with aid against the Russian invasion directed by Vladimir Putin.

There remains 67% believing Ukraine's victory is "important for the United States," according to the latest Reagan Institute poll. Coincidentally, Democrats (86%) and Republicans (71%) are more unified on aiding Ukraine than independents (58%), although majorities across the political spectrum are in still in agreement.

"Our latest poll reveals that the American people have some core principles that have remained consistent over time," according to the Reagan Institute poll analysis. "They express enduring support for aiding Ukraine and deterring China, with extensive new questions revealing more details about the depth of and reasons for that commitment.

"They overwhelmingly support a strong U.S. military and investment in defense spending — opposing cuts to the military budget amid Washington's politicking over the debt and deficit. And they want the United States to demonstrate leadership in the world, engaging on economic and trade issues as well as standing up for freedom and democracy abroad."

Among the key poll takeaways:

Ukraine: "Despite increased partisan rhetoric, support for aid to Ukraine has not wavered since our November 2022 survey."
Defense spending: "Nearly 60% of Americans, including 70% of Republicans, oppose cutting military spending to reduce the federal budget deficit."
China: "A majority of Americans support measures to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan, and bipartisan majorities would support a trade deal designed to counter China.

"Americans have core principles that have remained consistent over time, specifically in their enduring support for a strong military, defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, and deterring China," Ronald Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakheim wrote in a statement. "Our survey shows the American people want the United States to demonstrate leadership in the world in line with President Reagan's principle of 'peace through strength.'"

Among those opposing further aid to Ukraine, the leading reasons were concerns the money is not being spent at home (57%) and Europe should be shouldering more of the load (56%).

Both responses are common statements made by former President Donald Trump, including Saturday night at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's "Road to Majority 2023" event in Washington, D.C., which aired live on Newsmax.

Also, fiscal conservatives in Congress, backing Trump's America first agenda, have expressed concerns Ukraine is wasting and abusing the aid America is sending it – a claim the Reagan Institute rejected.

"This knocks the wind out of the argument that the main reason for opposing the aid is that it is being wasted by corrupt Ukrainian officials: only 11% choose this response option," according to the poll's executive memo. "Moreover, an assurance that auditing measures will be taken to reduce or eliminate corruption and embezzlement makes only 27% more supportive of U.S. military aid (56% say it makes no difference and 12% volunteered that it made them less supportive)."

The Ronald Reagan Institute poll, with Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, sampled 1,254 U.S. adults May 30-June 6 with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

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