Growing US divide on how long to support Ukraine: Survey
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A recent opinion survey shows a significant decline in Americans who want to see their country supporting Ukraine militarily.
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Brown, right, with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, checks pallets of 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
A recent Chicago Council survey that was published on Tuesday showed a remarkable decline in American popular support for Ukraine's military aid, in light of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which began in late February.
Nearly half of Americans say Washington should urge Kiev to settle for peace with Russia, according to the same survey.
The opinion survey showed the extent of division among Americans on whether Washington should support Ukraine “as long as it takes” or whether Washington should urge Ukraine to settle for peace as soon as possible.
The survey cited an article by Claire Parker, published in the Washington Post, in which she said that there is a clear decline in the percentage of those who support this idea.
The author indicated that the "Republican backing for aid to Ukraine has slipped since the spring, with 55 percent of Republicans saying they support sending military aid, compared with 68 percent in July and 80 percent in March."
Washington announced its latest package of military aid to Ukraine last month — the 25th since August 2021, which was worth $400 million, Parker added.
The package includes additional arms, munitions and equipment, the Defense Department said, and brings total US military assistance to Ukraine to nearly $20 billion since President Biden took office, she added.
The United States did not only send military support, but it is also "sending $53 million to help repair Ukraine’s electrical systems, which have sustained significant damage from Russian missile strikes in recent weeks," Parker said.
According to the opinion survey, 47% -- up from 38% in July -- say the United States should urge Ukraine to settle for peace as soon as possible so the costs aren’t so great for American households, even if that means Ukraine will lose some territory.
Americans who say their country should continue supporting Ukraine "even if American households have to pay higher gas and food prices as a consequence" have declined now to 48% -- compared to 58 % in July, according to the same survey.
As for 29% of the participants, they say that the United States should gradually withdraw support for Ukraine.
A poll in October showed that many Americans were growing impatient with the US government's support of Ukraine and want to see diplomatic efforts to put an end to the conflict before aid can continue.
Only four out of ten Americans, according to the poll, were somewhat or strongly in favor of the US continuing to support Ukraine with its current level of aid.
