CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said Monday that a sizeable chunk of Americans now believe the U.S. has overly backed Ukraine during its ongoing war with Russia.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration provided over $175 billion in economic and military aid to Ukraine after the war started in February of 2022. Enten, on “CNN News Central,” explained that at the beginning of the war, few Americans expressed concern that the U.S. was devoting excessive aid to Ukraine, but that sentiment has since surged substantially, especially among Republicans.
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“I think the real thing to note here is the trend line, Mr. Berman, and just holy Toledo, look at this trend line here. ‘U.S. support for Ukraine is too much.’ Back when the war began, back in February of 2022, it was just 7%,” Enten told host John Berman. “Up like a rocket ship. My goodness. Up now in February of 2025 to 41%. And the clear majority of Republicans and of course, Republicans are in charge of the U.S. government.”
“Now, 62% of Republicans say that the U.S. support for Ukraine is too much. What a difference from just three years ago,” he continued. “I can remember, John, all those back yards in the United States with those Ukrainian flags. Far fewer of them today as Americans opinions on Ukraine have changed dramatically.”
Similarly, public sentiment toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also shifted drastically, with a steep decline in American confidence in his leadership, Enten added.
“Obviously, if you would expect changes amongst the public on feelings towards Ukraine, feelings towards Zelenskyy have changed also dramatically,” he said. “Look at this: ‘Confident Zelensky will do the right thing when it comes to world affairs.’ Back in 2022, it was the clear majority, 72%. Through the floor, through the floor and by 2024, just 48% of Americans say that they’re confident that Zelenskyy will do the right thing when it comes to world affairs.”
“And GOP confidence has also plummeted dramatically. Now, the clear majority of Republicans are not confident, not confident that Zelenskyy will do the right thing when it comes to world affairs,” he continued. “Really a real trend line, ones you rarely see in the American public when it comes to Ukraine and Zelenskyy. Confidence in both going down through the ground.”
Moreover, the data reporter asserted 78% of Americans back a “negotiated peace deal” between Russia and Ukraine.
Enten cited polls by Quinnipiac University and Marquette Law School, Pew Research Center and Ipsos during his analysis.
Zelenskyy asserted on Feb. 7 that he was open to a peace deal amid Trump’s request for Ukraine to supply the U.S. with rare earth elements and other minerals in exchange for aid. However, he has also said that Ukraine must be involved in negotiating the deal, according to BBC.
Trump announced Wednesday that negotiations to end the war are underway. He had calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy that day.
Senior American and Russian officials are set to discuss negotiating the termination of the Russia-Ukraine war on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, according to The Associated Press. Ukraine will not be present, but State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce asserted Ukraine must be involved when true peace negotiations occur, according to the outlet.
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