A recent Gallup poll revealed a significant decline in Ukrainian approval of U.S. government leadership, returning to pre-war levels after peaking in 2022. Between 2014 and 2021, approval of U.S. leadership fluctuated between 20% and 40%, but this figure surged in 2022 as the U.S. became the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
However, by 2024, the approval rating has decreased to 40%, with nearly as many Ukrainians now disapproving of U.S. leadership, signaling a shift in public opinion toward the U.S. government.
In 2022, as the U.S. increased its support for Ukraine, approval of American leadership among Ukrainians rose to 66%. However, this support has since dropped due to growing opposition in the U.S., especially from Republicans who have questioned the scale of aid to Ukraine.
As a result, the approval rating has fallen significantly, and 37% of Ukrainians now disapprove of the U.S. leadership. This decline reflects the complexities surrounding U.S. involvement in the war, both within the U.S. and in Ukraine.
In contrast, Ukrainian views of Germany, a key European military supporter of Ukraine, have remained more stable. Germany’s approval rating stood at 50% in 2024, a slight decrease from 53% in 2023.
Ukrainian Approval of U.S. Leadership Declines Amid Growing Doubts on NATO Membership and War Strategy
Last year, the approval of Germany’s leadership was equal to that of the U.S., but as U.S. approval has declined, Germany now has a higher favorability rating than the U.S. for the first time since the war began. This shift highlights the growing importance of European support in Ukraine’s international relations.
The Gallup poll also showed a decrease in the number of Ukrainians who believe their country will join NATO in the near future. While 69% were optimistic about NATO membership in 2023, only 51% shared this belief in 2024.
Furthermore, 22% of Ukrainians now think that joining NATO will never happen, nearly double the percentage from the previous year. This change reflects growing doubts about Ukraine’s path to NATO membership amid the ongoing conflict and shifting global dynamics.
Lastly, the poll found that 52% of Ukrainians favor negotiating an end to the war, while 38% want the military to continue fighting. This divide highlights the differing opinions within Ukraine regarding the future of the conflict. The survey, based on 1,000 respondents, underscores how the evolving situation has influenced both Ukraine’s relationship with key allies like the U.S. and its public’s expectations for the future.
