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Vast Majority Of Americans Say Ban Russian Oil, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Nearly 8 In 10 Support U.S. Military Response If Putin Attacks A NATO Country

At nearly the end of week two of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as the U.S. and its allies consider ratcheting up sanctions against Russia, Americans say 71 - 22 percent that they would support a ban on Russian oil even if it meant higher gasoline prices in the United States, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today. Democrats (82 - 12 percent), independents (70 - 22 percent), and Republicans (66 - 30 percent) all support banning Russian oil.

As for the steps that the Biden administration has taken so far to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, 56 percent say they are not tough enough, while 30 percent say they are about right, and 3 percent say they are too tough. This is largely unchanged from a Quinnipiac University Poll released a week ago.

"Americans are ready to put a chokehold on Russia's key financial lifeblood, oil, no matter what the consequences are at the pump," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

U.S. MILITARY & NATO COUNTRIES

There is broad support (79 - 14 percent) for a U.S. military response if Russian President Vladimir Putin goes beyond Ukraine and attacks a NATO country.

Americans think 60 - 28 percent that Putin is willing to use nuclear weapons against NATO countries.

As for how long Americans expect the war in Ukraine to last, 44 percent say months, 23 percent say years, 19 percent say weeks, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion.

BIDEN

Americans are divided on Joe Biden's handling of the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with 42 percent approving, 45 percent disapproving, and 13 percent not offering an opinion. This compares to a week ago when 39 percent approved, and 47 percent disapproved.

For his overall job approval, Americans give Biden a negative 38 - 51 percent job approval rating with 11 percent not offering an opinion. This compares to a negative 37 - 52 percent job approval rating a week ago.

In today's poll, registered voters give Biden a negative 40 - 51 percent job approval rating with 9 percent not offering an opinion. This compares to a negative 38 - 52 percent job approval rating a week ago.

Biden's job approval rating has been steadily inching higher since he hit a low in a January 12, 2022 Quinnipiac University poll when Americans gave him a negative 33 - 53 percent job approval rating and registered voters gave him a negative 35 - 54 percent job approval rating.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT & SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) have a favorable opinion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with 29 percent saying they haven't heard enough about him, and 6 percent having an unfavorable opinion.

Americans support 78 - 15 percent accepting Ukrainian refugees into the United States.

PUTIN & RUSSIA

In the last week, there's been a jump in the number of Americans who think Russian President Vladimir Putin is mentally unstable. In today's poll, 60 percent think he's mentally unstable, while 21 percent think he's mentally stable. A week ago, 49 percent thought Putin was mentally unstable, while 31 percent thought he was mentally stable.

Half of Americans (50 percent) compare Vladimir Putin's actions against Ukraine to Adolph Hitler's actions against Austria and Czechoslovakia before the outbreak of World War II, while 31 percent say that comparison is too strong, and 18 percent say they don't know enough about that history.

Americans think 86 - 11 percent that the Russian people do not have a say in what Vladimir Putin and his government choose to do.

Americans overwhelmingly (74 - 19 percent) do not think the Russian people have a full understanding of what is happening in Ukraine, given what they know about Russia and its people's access to information.

"Russians are largely in the dark about and unable to halt the destruction being wrought by Putin, say Americans who see the Russian leader as mentally unstable. And half of Americans liken Putin to modern history's darkest villain, Adolf Hitler," added Malloy.

WHAT WOULD AMERICANS DO?

As the world witnesses what is happening to Ukraine, Americans were asked what they would do if they were in the same position as Ukrainians are now: stay and fight or leave the country? A majority (55 percent) say they would stay and fight, while 38 percent say they would leave the country. Republicans say 68 - 25 percent and independents say 57 - 36 percent they would stay and fight, while Democrats say 52 - 40 percent they would leave the country.

"When confronted with a terrible hypothetical that would put them in the shoes of the Ukrainians, Americans say they would stand and fight rather than seek safety in another country," added Malloy.

Nearly half of Americans (49 percent) say the attack on Ukraine has contributed to them feeling anxious, while half (50 percent) say it has not.

1,374 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from March 4th - 6th with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

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