Most Americans Support Tougher Sanctions Against Russia: New Poll Results
Over three years into Russia's war against Ukraine, public opinion in the United States remains quite clear — the majority of Americans favor strengthening economic restrictions on Moscow and its allies. These findings are based on a recent survey conducted by YouGov and published by The Hill. According to the study, nearly half of U.S. citizens — 44 percent — believe it is appropriate to increase pressure on Russia through the introduction of additional sanctions. Another 19 percent think the current level of restrictions is sufficient to achieve the objectives. Meanwhile, 23 percent are undecided about further steps, and 6 percent advocate for easing sanctions. Only 9 percent support their complete abolition. These issues are emerging amid active discussions in U.S. political circles regarding potential further actions against Russia and its supporters. Particularly, recent calls by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and other members of the Republican Party have stirred public debate — they urged President Donald Trump to impose additional economic sanctions on the Kremlin in response to new missile strikes on Kyiv carried out by Russian forces. Graham, who has more than 60 co-sponsors in Congress, emphasizes that his bill would be an effective tool to end the war. The legislation proposes introducing new restrictions and tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and uranium, he said in an interview. However, not all politicians support this initiative: Republican Senator Rand Paul sharply criticizes the bill, calling it ruinous for the American economy, and former President Donald Trump has yet to express a definitive stance on the matter. A notable aspect of the debate is that the U.S. State Department is actively working with allies in Europe and Asia to develop a unified position on increasing pressure on Russia. Political discussions are intensifying as the conflict continues to escalate, and sanctions remain one of the most critical issues in domestic policy. According to the poll, support for sanctions among Democrats reached an impressive 59 percent. This indicates a strong public consensus on the need to pressure Russia to halt its aggression. Among Republicans, the figure is lower — 37 percent — but it is rising among independents, who account for 42 percent. The survey was conducted online from June 12 to 16 among 1,133 adult residents of the United States, with a sampling margin of error of approximately 4 percentage points. This research demonstrates that public support for sanctions remains predominant and underscores that the Ukrainian conflict continues to be a relevant issue for American political elites and citizens alike.