U.S. President Donald Trump is facing public skepticism over his approach to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to new polling.
A YouGov survey of 4,058 U.S. adults, conducted on November 26, found that 46 percent of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the conflict, while 36 percent approved. Among those who disapproved, 36 percent said they strongly disapproved.
Partisan divisions were stark: 72 percent of Republicans said they approved of Trump’s handling of the war, compared with 79 percent of Democrats who said they disapproved.
Earlier polling from August indicated that 59 percent of U.S. adults were not confident that Trump could make “wise decisions” regarding the war in Ukraine—findings recorded three months before his peace plan was publicly announced.
The White House was contacted for comment via email outside normal business hours.
Why It Matters
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. So far, those efforts have not produced a breakthrough.
Last week, details emerged of a 28-point U.S. proposal to end the conflict. The plan reportedly prompted pushback from some lawmakers who argued it leaned too far toward Russian interests, prompting revisions.
Compounding the controversy, a leaked October phone call showed Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, coaching senior Kremlin officials on how to present a Russian peace proposal to the U.S. president—raising further concerns about the direction of the negotiations.
What To Know
The 28-point framework released by the Trump administration suggested that Ukraine cede the eastern Donbas region and significantly reduce the size of its military and weapons arsenal as part of a deal to end the war launched by Russia.
Moscow has also insisted that Ukraine must not join NATO. The proposal is still being modified as both sides try to protect their strategic and diplomatic interests.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to the latest version of Trump’s peace proposal, said in an address on Tuesday: “The principles in this document can be developed into deeper agreements. And it is in our shared interest that security is real. I count on continued active cooperation with the American side and President Trump. Much depends on the United States because it’s America’s strength that Russia takes most seriously.”
From the Russian side, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday that Moscow will not make major compromises: “There can be no question of any concessions, or any surrender of our approaches to those key points.”
On Capitol Hill, some Republicans have voiced concerns about the process and the people involved. Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement last week: “This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace.”
Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska wrote on X on Tuesday: “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
What Happens Next
Witkoff is scheduled to visit the Kremlin next week for further talks as the administration continues working to finalize a potential agreement.
