Photo: AliExpress
The change in US foreign policy under Trump has been accompanied by a dramatic shift in public opinion: Russia is less and less seen as an enemy, and support for Ukraine among Republicans is rapidly declining.
Washington, 17 April – For the first time since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, fewer Americans consider Russia an “enemy”. This is evidenced by a Pew Research Center poll cited by the Washington Post.
According to the study, only 50% of Americans now consider Russia an enemy of the United States, the lowest figure since March 2022, when the war had just begun. For comparison, in April 2024, the number was 61%, and at the beginning of the invasion, it was 70%.
The Republicans’ sharp reversal
The most noticeable decline is among Republican voters. Now only 40% consider Russia an enemy (compared to 58% last year), and 12% already call it a “partner” of the United States. This is even more than before the invasion of Ukraine.
“For the first time since before the war, more Republicans see Russia as a competitor rather than an enemy,” the Pew analysis says.
Such sentiments coincide with the rhetoric of Donald Trump, who openly states that “this is not our war” and calls for “normalisation” of relations with the Kremlin. Following his recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, the White House’s rhetoric has changed even further: Trump speaks of seeking “more friendly relations with Russia”.
Support for Ukraine is melting away
As attitudes towards Russia change, support for assistance to Ukraine is also declining. Only 44% of Americans now believe that the US should help Kyiv, compared to 50% in November. The sharpest drop is among Republicans: from 36% to 23%.
Tensions escalated after the controversial February meeting between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Instead of signing an agreement on the supply of rare earth metals, the meeting turned into a conflict: Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “ungrateful”.
“We’re done”: American support is in question
“If the war cannot be ended in the coming days, we must move on,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recently, emphasising once again: The United States does not want to be “forever involved” in this conflict.
Such messages, as well as attempts to shift the blame for the war to Kyiv and the previous administration, are gaining traction. Trump said in an interview this week:
“You don’t start a war against someone who is 20 times your size and hope they send you a few missiles.”
The consequences are already tangible
After another Russian attack on Sumy, where 34 people were killed, Trump’s reaction drew criticism in the West. He said that the strike was a “mistake”, which caused outrage in Europe.
At the same time, trust in Vladimir Putin among Americans remains low – only 12% believe he is able to “do the right thing” in global politics. By comparison, 49% trust Zelenskyy.
“Republicans have become somewhat more likely to have a positive view of Russia and trust Putin, while Democrats’ views remain consistently critical,” Pew notes.
Conclusion: America is bifurcating
Against the backdrop of Russia’s aggression and Ukraine’s weakening position, American society is splitting. Some – mostly Democrats – continue to support Kyiv. Others, under the influence of Trump, are changing the vector: less support for Ukraine, more leniency towards the Kremlin.
