A growing majority of Americans now back President Donald Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to recent polling data from CNN, with many expressing greater confidence in Trump’s approach than in that of now-former President Joe Biden. This shift highlights a significant change in public opinion regarding the United States’ role in the conflict and offers insight into the evolving political landscape.
Trump’s Net Approval on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
During a CNN segment on Monday, data analyst Harry Enten discussed the polling results, noting the stark contrast between Trump’s current approval ratings and those of Biden when it comes to handling the war. “The net approval rating tells the story here. Joe Biden, in 2024, was 22 points underwater. But Trump? He’s doing much better—at plus-two,” Enten said, emphasizing the widening gap between the two leaders.
This significant shift suggests that, at least for the moment, a substantial portion of the American public is giving Trump the benefit of the doubt regarding his management of the crisis. Enten pointed out that Trump is outperforming Biden on the issue of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating, “Americans are giving Donald Trump the benefit of the doubt. He’s doing considerably better than Biden was when it comes to handling the situation.”
Public Opinion on Ending the War
The sentiment among Americans, however, does not solely focus on the handling of the war but also on the desire for its conclusion. As the conflict has dragged on, more and more Americans are shifting toward supporting a quicker end to the war, even if it means a compromise on territorial integrity. According to Enten, a majority now supports bringing the war to a close sooner, even if it means Russia retains control of some of the land it has captured. “50 percent of Americans want a quicker end to the war, even if it means Russia keeps its captured land,” Enten explained.
This preference for ending the war swiftly contrasts with the initial outlook from the early months of the conflict. Back in August 2022, only 31 percent of Americans favored a quicker resolution, showing a dramatic rise in the desire for compromise. Now, as the war drags on, the public’s tolerance for a negotiated peace seems to be growing, even if it means Ukraine may not achieve all its initial war aims. “Americans are moving closer and closer to wanting a compromise, even if it means Ukraine doesn’t really get what it set out to want at the beginning of this war,” Enten noted.
Zelenskyy’s Frustration with Trump’s Approach
The shift in public sentiment is also reflective of the tension between President Trump’s approach and the Ukrainian leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent diplomatic exchanges with President Trump have been strained, particularly during a tense Oval Office meeting last week. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Republican Senator J.D. Vance provided a behind-the-scenes account of the meeting.
Vance described how President Trump initially attempted to be diplomatic and accommodating toward Zelenskyy, even when the Ukrainian leader made what he considered untrue statements. “For the first 25, 30 minutes, the president bent over backwards to be gracious and kind to Zelenskyy,” Vance said. However, tensions escalated when a Polish journalist’s question triggered a more pointed exchange, and Zelenskyy’s reaction became noticeably more hostile. Vance recounted how Zelenskyy “came at me” after his comments, indicating how the diplomatic tone shifted dramatically during the interaction.
This scenario reflects broader challenges facing the Ukrainian leadership as the American public grows increasingly skeptical of prolonged military involvement. While Zelenskyy continues to push for further support, the rising public preference for a swift resolution of the conflict suggests that U.S. leaders—particularly Trump—are in sync with a growing portion of the population that wants an end to the war without further territorial concessions to Russia.
The Future of US Foreign Policy on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to evolve, the public’s changing views may influence how the U.S. navigates its future foreign policy decisions. The contrast in public opinion between Trump and Biden on handling the crisis is not merely a reflection of personal preferences but also of deeper debates within the country about the role of the U.S. in global conflicts. As the war grinds on, and as economic and political pressures mount, the desire for a quick resolution may push the U.S. leadership toward new diplomatic strategies that prioritize peace over continued military engagement.
The polling data also suggests that the American people are becoming increasingly reluctant to continue pouring resources into a war without seeing clear progress or an end in sight. With public sentiment shifting toward compromise and rapid resolution, future U.S. administrations may need to take this into account when shaping their foreign policy decisions moving forward.
In conclusion, the increasing support for Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war and the growing desire for a quicker resolution highlight a pivotal moment in American public opinion. As the conflict drags on, both U.S. leaders and the Ukrainian government will need to navigate these shifting dynamics in order to achieve a lasting peace while balancing domestic political pressures and international relations.
