Summary: After the Oval Office fallout, More in Common conducted polling across five countries (the US, UK, France, Germany, and Poland) on Ukraine. Our cross country findings allowed us to understand the global and local understandings of America’s shifting alliances. You can find our findings in full here.
On February 28th, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine met with President Trump and Vice President Vance in the Oval Office. The televised meeting eventually devolved into a heated exchange. While the meeting can be described as the culmination of many actions taken under President Trump’s leadership, it marked a turning point in the US-Ukraine relationship. Some analysts believe the meeting has thrown the post-war order of the past eighty years into question.
More in Common is an international research organization, spanning seven countries. Recognizing the potential world-altering implications of the meeting, our global team sprang to action. Last week, we conducted polls in five of our home countries – the US, UK, France, Germany, and Poland – to see how Americans and Europeans were thinking about the war, Ukraine, Russia, and the responsibilities of each country’s leaders to meet the moment. We detail our findings below.
Americans remain committed to supporting Ukraine, and share concern over Russia's aggression
Overall, Americans are 20 times more likely to be sympathetic to Ukraine than Russia. A majority of the country (67%), including a majority of Republicans (65%), believe that the US should keep sending aid to Ukraine until an end to the war has been established or negotiated.
Americans also are united on their fundamental understanding of the war. Seven in ten Americans think it’s critical that Ukraine maintains its sovereignty. Moreover, a majority of Americans – including a majority of Republicans – think Russia alone is responsible for the war.
Americans believe that Russia poses a threat: a majority are worried that Russia may attack other parts of Europe in the coming years, a fear shared by their European counterparts. They're skeptical of Putin’s commitment to peace – only 28% believe that Russia would honor a ceasefire agreement. And they’re deeply united on who Vladimir Putin is: 81% describe him as a dictator, including a majority of Republicans (86%).
Only 22% of Americans, including a minority (39%) of Republicans think that President Zelenskyy is a dictator. Perhaps that’s why very few Americans (only 20%) believe that the US should negotiate a deal with Russia one on one, rather than including Ukraine.
Americans’ perceptions of the oval office fallout remain partisan
While Americans are united on supporting Ukraine, we do find that Americans’ perceptions of the oval office meeting are shaped by partisan affiliation. A majority of Democrats (76%) feel that President Trump and Vice President Vance were disrespectful. Meanwhile, Republicans were split: a plurality (48%) feel that President Zelenskyy was more disrespectful. However, 40% felt that either Trump and Vance were more disrespectful (18%) or both parties were equally disrespectful (22%).
We also asked the same questions of our qualitative Americans in Conversation panel. Democrats tended to paint Zelenskyy as victim to Trump and Vance’s bullying:
“I don't think Zelensky did anything wrong and did not show disrespect. I think he handled himself well and contained his frustration well while two grown men gained up on him and bullied him.”
- Helia, 45-year-old white woman, Disengaged, Democrat from Coeur de Alene, Idaho
“That is a man trying to save his people from invasion and death. To hold help over his head until they feel like he's sucked up enough is disgraceful. It's not the right thing to do, and the way they talked to him is unbelievable for the highest elected officials in the country.”
- Lydia, 27-year-old white woman, Progressive Activist, Democrat from St. Paul, Minnesota
Republicans, meanwhile, displayed more mixed responses. Many recognized that Zelenskyy was in a vulnerable position but felt that he was acting in an entitled manner.
“It was tough to watch because of how brazen Zelenskyy was trying to lecture the American people and threaten our future. I was extremely glad we have the President and Vice President we have now because they are actually standing up to the grifting and blackmailing. No more free handouts, we need peace and nothing less.”
- Jaria, 35-year-old Black man, Traditional Conservative, Republican from Sneads Ferry, North Carolina
“I don’t think Trump and Vance came into this meeting to make a deal. They just seemed to want to yell and make Zelenskyy look bad.”
- Jamie, 63-year-old white woman, Traditional Conservative, Republican from Birmingham, Alabama
“I was uncomfortable that they were interrupting each other most of the time. I didn't think Pres. Z wasn't very appreciative of what he's received...I think it's pretty bold of Pres. Z to come ask for more money/equipment/help for all he's gotten in the past.”
- Liam, 66-year-old white man, Devoted Conservative, Republican from Lula, Georgia
Despite differing perceptions of who was at fault for the fallout, it did not have significant impact on Americans’ support for Ukraine. Only 13% believe that the outcome of the meeting meant “we should stop helping Ukraine.”
Europeans are united in supporting Ukraine – and no longer feel united with the US
Our cross-country findings allow us to understand how Europeans viewed the Oval Office meeting and their role in the world. We find that while Europeans are more united, coalescing around a commitment to defending Ukraine even in the US’s absence. Britain is the most united on the issue, and the most willing to send peacekeeping troops. Europeans are also much more likely to be concerned about a future war in Europe.
Moreover, Europeans no longer feel unified with the United States. A majority of Americans describe France, the UK, and Germany as allies. Yet no majority in the UK, France, or Germany describe the US as the same.
The Trump administration’s evolving relationship with Ukraine and Russia has implications beyond the walls of the Oval Office. President Trump may still find loyalty among his base, but Americans’ support for Ukraine remains strong, cutting across partisan lines. For Brits and Europeans, the meeting strengthened their cross-country bonds, remaining steadfast in providing support to Ukraine—even if the US backs away.
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