A majority of Americans no longer have confidence in Donald Trump’s ability to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, according to a recent poll. The US President boasted while on the campaign trail last year that he could seal a peace deal within 24 hours of his return to the White House or even sooner.
He has since admitted that the task is proving somewhat more difficult than he first imagined. Despite laying out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the Kremlin boss offered no real concessions and has since issued more hard-line demands, as well as escalating attacks on both Ukraine’s military and civilians. It now appears that a majority of Americans no longer believe that their leader has what it takes to end the war in Ukraine.
The Gallup survey of 2,132 adults was carried out between August 1-15 – before the summit. According to the data, 78% doubt that the US and its allies will be able to negotiate an end to the more than three years of fighting.
Meanwhile, 67% of US citizens are either “very” or “somewhat” pessimistic that any peace agreement can be reached between Moscow and Kyiv.
This included the majority of Republicans, 57% of whom are gloomy about the chances of reaching a ceasefire. Democrats were even less confident, with 78% saying such a deal was unlikely.
The poll found that a decreasing number of Republicans believe the US is doing enough to help Ukraine – down from 67% in December to 40%.
The shift may represent growing frustration with Putin among Republicans, as the Kremlin leader doubles down on his war in Ukraine.
A Gallup spokesman said that the shift from the Biden to the Trump administration has “led to an increase… in the percentage of Americans who think the US is not doing enough to support Ukraine”.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has repeated calls for Russia to be held accountable for its brutal and ferocious attacks on civilians.
The death toll from Thursday’s horrific onslaught on Kyiv has risen to at least 23 dead, with 50 people still unaccounted for.
“When instead of diplomacy Russia chooses ballistics, continues to modernise ‘shaheds’ for killing, and deepens cooperation with actors like North Korea, it means the world must respond accordingly,” the Ukrainian leader said. “Strong sanctions, strong pressure, strong steps are needed so that the murderers do not feel impunity.”
