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
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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.
Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll
Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 33% 3% 76% 26% 29% 37% 52% 20% Disapprove 54 94 12 56 59 50 42 67 DK/NA 13 4 13 18 12 13 6 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 21% 36% 35% 48% 29% 32% 31% 63% 26% Disapprove 58 52 58 46 63 56 59 25 54 DK/NA 21 12 7 6 8 12 10 12 20 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Approve 32% 37% 34% 16% Disapprove 59 58 50 51 DK/NA 9 5 16 33 -
Question 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve strongly 18% 1% 46% 11% 14% 21% 30% 11% Approve smwht 14 1 30 14 14 15 21 9 Disapprove smwht 11 9 6 13 11 11 7 10 Disapprove strongly 43 83 6 42 48 39 35 56 DK/NA 14 5 13 19 13 15 7 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve strongly 7% 13% 23% 33% 15% 20% 17% 33% 12% Approve smwht 14 21 11 14 14 12 13 29 12 Disapprove smwht 23 9 7 3 10 8 9 13 13 Disapprove strongly 35 41 51 42 52 47 49 11 41 DK/NA 22 16 8 7 9 13 11 14 22 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Approve strongly 17% 27% 11% 4% Approve smwht 15 10 22 12 Disapprove smwht 10 7 14 17 Disapprove strongly 48 51 36 32 DK/NA 9 6 17 36 -
Question 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 39% 10% 73% 36% 36% 41% 57% 30% Disapprove 48 80 13 48 51 45 38 58 DK/NA 14 10 13 15 13 14 6 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 32% 37% 40% 49% 38% 39% 39% 64% 30% Disapprove 45 49 53 43 54 49 51 24 48 DK/NA 23 14 7 8 8 12 10 12 22 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Approve 39% 43% 40% 19% Disapprove 50 53 47 30 DK/NA 11 4 13 51 -
Question 3. How closely have you been following news about Russia's invasion of Ukraine; very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very closely 50% 52% 51% 50% 54% 47% 62% 51% Somewhat closely 36 35 38 36 34 39 32 36 Not too closely 13 12 11 14 12 14 6 13 DK/NA - - - - 1 - - 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very closely 37% 46% 56% 63% 59% 51% 55% 43% 44% Somewhat closely 44 39 35 29 32 36 34 41 41 Not too closely 19 15 8 8 8 12 11 16 15 DK/NA - - - 1 1 - - - - Mltry Hshld Very closely 58% Somewhat closely 31 Not too closely 10 DK/NA - -
Question 4. Do you think the worst of the war in Ukraine is over or do you think the worst of the war in Ukraine is yet to come?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Worst over 11% 13% 10% 11% 13% 9% 10% 11% Worst yet to come 74 71 79 75 72 76 76 73 DK/NA 15 16 10 15 15 14 13 16 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Worst over 17% 10% 10% 7% 12% 9% 10% 18% 12% Worst yet to come 71 72 79 77 73 76 74 70 78 DK/NA 12 18 11 16 15 15 15 11 10 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Worst over 10% 9% 13% 13% Worst yet to come 77 80 71 58 DK/NA 14 10 15 28 -
Question 5. How much confidence do you have in the United Nations to help achieve peace in Ukraine; a lot, some, not too much, or not much at all?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No A lot 9% 4% 17% 7% 7% 10% 7% 6% Some 35 29 43 33 30 39 38 33 Not too much 22 27 21 22 23 21 24 22 Not much at all 31 38 17 35 36 27 31 35 DK/NA 3 1 3 3 3 3 - 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 8% 5% 10% 12% 4% 9% 7% 22% 10% Some 39 32 33 36 30 39 35 43 34 Not too much 27 26 20 18 23 22 23 14 23 Not much at all 24 34 37 30 40 29 34 21 30 DK/NA 1 3 1 3 3 2 2 1 3 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely A lot 6% 10% 8% 9% Some 34 28 43 37 Not too much 23 20 25 24 Not much at all 35 41 22 24 DK/NA 2 1 3 6 -
Question 6. How effective do you think sanctions against Russia will be in pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine; very effective, somewhat effective, not too effective, or not effective at all?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very effective 9% 6% 14% 7% 10% 8% 9% 6% Somewhat effective 40 28 56 40 37 43 50 34 Not too effective 25 32 20 27 25 25 24 28 Not effective at all 23 32 8 24 26 21 16 29 DK/NA 3 1 3 2 2 3 1 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very effective 9% 7% 9% 11% 8% 7% 7% 18% 8% Somewhat effective 41 39 38 44 36 42 39 41 43 Not too effective 28 24 28 24 28 26 27 24 24 Not effective at all 22 26 23 18 27 23 25 12 24 DK/NA 1 4 1 3 2 2 2 5 1 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Very effective 8% 10% 7% 6% Somewhat effective 37 41 40 40 Not too effective 28 21 33 23 Not effective at all 26 28 18 24 DK/NA 1 1 2 7 -
Question 7. Which comes closest to your point of view: A) 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. B) 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. C) The United States is already doing enough to support Ukraine.
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No A) More support/ Even if risk war 19% 23% 18% 17% 21% 18% 23% 21% B) More support/ But not risk war 52 52 58 51 49 55 63 52 C) Already doing enough to support 22 19 20 25 24 20 11 20 DK/NA 7 6 3 7 6 7 3 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A) More support/ Even if risk war 16% 19% 22% 22% 22% 21% 22% 11% 17% B) More support/ But not risk war 49 52 55 53 55 57 56 50 46 C) Already doing enough to support 28 23 18 18 17 17 17 37 33 DK/NA 6 6 4 7 6 6 6 2 5 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely A) More support/ Even if risk war 24% 25% 15% 11% B) More support/ But not risk war 49 50 57 49 C) Already doing enough to support 22 20 22 30 DK/NA 6 5 6 10 -
Question 8. Do you think the United States has a moral responsibility to - help refugees fleeing Ukraine, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Responsibility 74% 66% 88% 75% 71% 77% 85% 73% No 21 27 11 21 25 17 13 21 DK/NA 5 7 2 4 4 6 2 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Responsibility 70% 72% 76% 79% 73% 79% 77% 71% 71% No 27 22 20 14 23 15 19 24 25 DK/NA 4 5 4 7 4 5 5 6 4 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Yes/Responsibility 74% 78% 73% 62% No 21 17 23 31 DK/NA 5 5 4 8 -
Question 9. Do you think the United States has a moral responsibility to - do more to stop the killing of civilians in Ukraine, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Responsibility 68% 67% 77% 66% 66% 70% 81% 70% No 24 25 14 28 27 21 15 21 DK/NA 8 8 9 6 7 9 4 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Responsibility 66% 66% 76% 72% 72% 74% 73% 56% 66% No 30 25 19 17 21 17 19 33 27 DK/NA 4 8 5 11 7 8 7 11 7 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Yes/Responsibility 71% 76% 65% 49% No 24 18 26 43 DK/NA 5 7 9 8 -
Question 10. Do you think Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, or not?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/War criminal 82% 81% 91% 79% 77% 87% 92% 84% No 10 14 4 10 12 8 5 10 DK/NA 8 5 5 11 11 6 3 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/War criminal 76% 80% 88% 89% 83% 89% 86% 72% 78% No 13 9 7 6 10 7 8 16 8 DK/NA 11 11 5 5 7 4 5 12 13 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Yes/War criminal 85% 87% 81% 65% No 8 7 12 13 DK/NA 7 5 7 22 -
Question 11. Do you think Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to kill civilians in Ukraine, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Ordered 71% 74% 83% 66% 63% 79% 78% 74% No 14 14 6 19 20 8 9 14 DK/NA 15 12 12 15 17 13 13 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Ordered 65% 64% 79% 82% 69% 81% 75% 71% 64% No 21 15 9 8 18 7 12 14 19 DK/NA 14 21 11 10 13 12 13 15 16 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Yes/Ordered 73% 78% 70% 52% No 16 11 16 18 DK/NA 11 11 14 30 -
Question 12. How confident are you that Russia will be held accountable for the killing of civilians in Ukraine; very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very confident 9% 9% 11% 7% 9% 10% 4% 6% Somewhat confident 25 19 33 23 20 29 31 24 Not so confident 33 34 35 33 35 32 40 31 Not confident at all 31 35 21 34 33 29 23 36 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 4 1 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very confident 12% 10% 6% 10% 5% 6% 5% 17% 16% Somewhat confident 25 15 28 30 20 32 26 25 23 Not so confident 33 43 31 30 35 34 34 31 31 Not confident at all 29 28 34 28 37 28 32 24 29 DK/NA 2 4 1 1 4 1 2 2 1 FOLLOWING NEWS ABOUT INVASION OF UKRAINE Q3 Mltry Very Somewhat NotToo Hshld closely closely closely Very confident 8% 8% 10% 11% Somewhat confident 20 24 28 19 Not so confident 32 34 34 32 Not confident at all 38 32 27 34 DK/NA 2 2 1 5