Obama Receives Little Support for Handling Ukraine Crisis

Although Americans are restrained in their foreign ambition, oppose military action in Ukraine and support sanctions on Russia, they give President Obama little support for his handling of the crisis. He’s either below 50 percent approval or in negative territory in four national surveys conducted in March.

Paradoxically, Americans don’t rate Ukraine and Crimea high priorities and they claim to prefer the modest involvement Obama advocates, yet at the same time, they see Russia as a threat and want the U.S. to be tougher.

• CNN – 69% see “Russia as a threat to U.S.,” March 14, 2014
• Fox – 66% “not tough enough on Russia,” March 25, 2014
• AP – 49% “make sanctions stronger,” March 24, 2014
• Pew – 47% “take a firm stand” among those following news closely, March 11, 2014

See:
Washington Post poll: Americans support Ukraine sanctions, split on Obama performance
CNN poll 3-10-14: 59% approve of sanctions against Russia