A Pew Research Center survey reveals a split among Americans regarding Russia, with 50% considering it an enemy, a decrease from 61% in 2024.
A new Pew Research Center poll, released on Thursday, indicates that Americans are divided on whether Russia is a US enemy. The percentage viewing Russia as an enemy has dropped to its lowest level since 2022, coinciding with the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate a solution to the Ukraine conflict.
The poll shows that 50% of US adults see Russia as an enemy, a decrease from 61% last year, and 64% and 70% in 2023 and 2022, respectively. An additional 38% consider Russia a competitor, while 9% view it as a partner.
The poll also highlighted a significant partisan divide, with Democrats more likely to view Russia negatively. 62% of Democrats consider Russia an enemy, compared to only 40% of Republicans. Among Republicans, 45% see Russia primarily as a competitor.
According to the survey, 85% of Americans have a somewhat or very unfavorable view of Russia, while only 13% view the country favorably.
The poll, conducted between March 24 and March 30, surveyed 3,605 US adults, shortly after a phone conversation between President Trump and Vladimir Putin regarding the resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
While both sides have expressed optimism about the peace process, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the Ukraine talks as “difficult.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has implied that the US might withdraw from peace talks if progress isn’t achieved soon.
Bloomberg reported on Friday that the US has presented its allies with a peace proposal that includes easing sanctions on Russia and removing Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, a key demand from Moscow. Reportedly, former Ukrainian territories that overwhelmingly voted to join Russia would remain under Moscow’s control.
However, Ukraine has consistently rejected making any territorial concessions to Russia.
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