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74% Of Americans Think Worst Of War In Ukraine Is Yet To Come, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; More Than 8 In 10 Think Vladimir Putin Is A War Criminal

As the world witnesses the atrocities in Ukraine committed by Russian troops, the vast majority of Americans (74 percent) think the worst of the war is yet to come, while 11 percent think the worst of the war is over, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today.

BIDEN

Thirty-nine percent of Americans approve of President Joe Biden's handling of the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while 48 percent disapprove.

While 33 percent of Americans approve of the way President Biden is handling his job, 54 percent disapprove with 13 percent not offering an opinion. Biden's 33 percent job approval ties the low that he received in a Quinnipiac University poll on January 12, 2022 when his job approval rating was a negative 33 - 53 percent.

In today's poll, Democrats approve (76 - 12 percent) of Biden's job performance, while independents disapprove (56 - 26 percent) and Republicans disapprove (94 - 3 percent).

Among registered voters, 35 percent approve of Biden's job performance, while 55 percent disapprove with 10 percent not offering an opinion. Biden's 35 percent job approval among registered voters ties the low that he received in a Quinnipiac University poll on January 12, 2022 when his job approval rating was a negative 35 - 54 percent.

PUTIN

More than 8 in 10 Americans (82 percent) think that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, while 10 percent think he is not a war criminal.

Roughly 7 in 10 (71 percent) think Putin ordered Russian troops to kill civilians in Ukraine, while 14 percent think he did not.

"With thousands dead in Ukraine and the grim belief that the barbarity has just begun, Americans label Putin a killer who directed his troops to do the unthinkable, cut down non-combatants," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

U.S. ROLE IN UKRAINE

Roughly two thirds of Americans (68 percent) think the United States has a moral responsibility to do more to stop the killing of civilians in Ukraine, while 24 percent do not think the United States has a moral responsibility to do more to stop the killing of civilians in Ukraine.

Democrats say 77 - 14 percent, Republicans say 67 - 25 percent, and independents say 66 - 28 percent that the United States has a moral responsibility to do more to stop the killing of civilians in Ukraine.

About three-quarters of Americans (74 percent) think the United States has a moral responsibility to help refugees fleeing Ukraine, while 21 percent do not think the United States has a moral responsibility to help refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Democrats say 88 - 11 percent, Republicans say 66 - 27 percent, and independents say 75 - 21 percent that the United States has a moral responsibility to help refugees fleeing Ukraine.

A slight majority of Americans (52 percent) say the United States should do more to support Ukraine, but not if it means increasing the risk of the United States getting into a war with Russia, while 19 percent say the United States should do more to support Ukraine, even if it means increasing the risk of the United States getting into a war with Russia, and 22 percent say the United States is already doing enough to support Ukraine.

"The heartbreaking images from 4,000 miles away leave Americans with a longing to do more, for those fleeing the Russian onslaught, and for those staying to fight. But the moral outrage stops at the water's edge when it comes to committing the U.S. military to the fight," added Malloy.

SANCTIONS

Americans are divided on how effective sanctions against Russia will be in pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine as 49 percent think they will be very effective (9 percent) or somewhat effective (40 percent), while 48 percent think they will not be too effective (25 percent) or not effective at all (23 percent).

UNITED NATIONS

While 44 percent of Americans say they have a lot of confidence (9 percent) or some confidence (35 percent) in the United Nations to help achieve peace in Ukraine, 53 percent say they have not too much confidence (22 percent) or not much confidence at all (31 percent).

ACCOUNTABILITY

Only 34 percent of Americans say they are very confident (9 percent) or somewhat confident (25 percent) that Russia will be held accountable for the killing of civilians in Ukraine, while 64 percent say they are not so confident (33 percent) or not confident at all (31 percent).

1,412 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from April 7th - 11th 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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Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

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