What do Americans think about the war in Ukraine?

It’s been almost a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, bringing direct combat back to Europe and turning international markets and politics on its head.

What many worried would be a short, painful few days, maybe weeks, is now turning into a long, grueling stalemate.

Thousands have died, and more have lost that sense of stability and safety they once had. But, as Ipsos research shows, many Ukrainians remain resilient and engaged in the war.

Yet, the war still goes on. Germany and the U.S. promised tanks to Ukraine this week. Some fear that Russia will view this as an escalation in Western involvement.

While the U.S. government stays engaged diplomatically, how do Americans absorb and understand these issues?
Below are five charts on American attitudes and public opinion toward the war in Ukraine.

1. Low priority. Even as the war in Ukraine holds significance for geopolitics, most Americans don’t see it as a pressing issue. When the invasion first happened last February, war and foreign conflict surged to the top of people’s minds. Now, it has receded to around where it was before the invasion began. These are rarely the issues that politicians win and lose elections over. Bread and butter trump distant foreign wars.
2. Support softens. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, supermajorities of Americans supported sending military assistance to Ukraine. As time has gone on, that support has softened, even as it is still high. Attenuation is the trend.
3. Decoupled. The U.S. government continues to support Ukraine’s military efforts. Between January and November last year, the EU and the U.S. sent billions to the Ukrainian government. Even as large sums flow through to Ukraine, research shows that foreign policy doesn’t impact electoral outcomes in the same way that domestic policy does. Strong aid does not necessarily depend on strong support.
4. Conditional Support. Most Americans want to support Ukraine, though there are limitations. Sending in boots on the ground or engaging in direct combat are very unpopular. But, other measures, like issuing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia or sending economic and military aid to Ukraine, wins wide support.
5. Don’t bully me. Even as support for U.S. involvement is conditional, most Americans agree that the U.S. should not bow down in the face of a Russian nuclear threat. America does not like bullies.

American support for the war in Ukraine is mixed. But the lines in the sand are clear—no to troops in Ukraine and yes to aid. Plus, a resounding no to Russian threats.

For these issues, public opinion is important. But, as we have seen, it is not the only determining factor in foreign policy. Robust aid does not necessarily depend on support. The Biden administration has room to maneuver here on this issue. The American people give it this license.