Majority of Americans Back Arms for Ukraine and Tougher Sanctions on Russia – Harvard Poll

Nearly seven in ten Americans support continued U.S. military assistance to Ukraine and stronger sanctions against Russia.

The Gaze reports this, referring to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.

The survey, conducted in September among more than 2,400 registered voters, found that 68% of respondents believe the Trump administration should keep providing weapons to Ukraine and tighten sanctions if the Kremlin refuses to engage in peace talks. Only 32% said Washington should avoid further escalation with Moscow.

Support was strikingly consistent across party lines, with Republicans slightly more likely than Democrats to back continued arms deliveries and sanctions.

A substantial 79% of Americans also said Europe should halt purchases of Russian oil and gas and instead rely on energy supplies from the United States – a position more strongly held among Republican voters, where support was ten points higher.

In a separate question, 77% favored new U.S. economic sanctions on Russia, with Republican backing exceeding that of Democrats by 15 percentage points. Meanwhile, 57% supported imposing higher tariffs or penalties on third countries that continue to buy Russian energy.

Analysts note that this marked uptick in Republican support for aiding Ukraine coincides with a recent shift in rhetoric from Donald Trump and members of his administration, who have begun to speak approvingly of military assistance to Ukraine and punitive measures against Moscow.  Trump has even hinted publicly at the possible transfer of advanced U.S. weapons systems, including Tomahawk missiles, to Kyiv.

As The Gaze previously reported, the majority of Americans consider Russian President Vladimir Putin to be the main culprit behind the Russian-Ukrainian war, according to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs-Ipsos opinion survey.