Some Americans worry that continued support for Ukraine will deplete the US weapons stockpile
Americans who do not support sending continued aid to Ukraine believe the money would be better spent on domestic needs.
A majority of those who do not support continued aid to Ukraine, 57%, believe that spending money on domestic needs is the “most compelling” reason for their position, according to the results of a Reagan Institute poll.
The poll found that a majority of Americans, 59%, support continuing military aid to Ukraine, while a sizable minority, 30%, oppose sending more to help the country repel Russian aggression.
In addition to spending on unmet domestic needs, 17% of respondents cited the most compelling reason for opposing further support for Ukraine as a U.S. threat to provoke Russia. Meanwhile, 11% of respondents said corruption in Ukraine and the U.S. Both the need to preserve arms stockpiles were cited as reasons for opposing future aid.
Responding to the poll results during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., argued that Ukraine is the “front line for protecting our democracy.”
“We know that Mr. Putin will not stop with Ukraine and will continue his efforts in Europe, we are not safe,” Cardin said. “So this is our front line and protecting our democracy, this is an investment in America. So yes, we have to deal with our domestic needs, but we also have to protect our national security. And we have to be part of helping. Ukraine is protecting itself.”
The poll comes as Ukraine launches a much-anticipated counteroffensive in the year-long war, with Russia unable to meet its targets amid fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces.
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According to a Reagan Institute survey on who Americans believe has the upper hand in the conflict, 31% of respondents believe Ukraine is currently winning the war. Meanwhile, 27% believed Russia would win the war, and 25% indicated neither side would gain the upper hand. Another 17% said they don’t know.
The Reagan Institute poll, conducted between May 30 and June 6, sampled 1,254 respondents with a margin of error of ±2.8%.