The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Guide for - Navigator Research
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Update: Thursday, March 10th The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Guide for Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Advocates Latest wave conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org
• Americans are closely following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and feel Biden and Congress need to be focused on it – and feel like they are prioritizing it. • Americans are most worried about human rights violations and deaths in Ukraine, and increased gas prices resulting from sanctions – though worries about gas prices do not deter support for sanctions against Russia. • As Putin and Russia remain deeply disliked across partisan lines, Donald Trump is seen as more pro-Russia than pro-Ukraine in the current conflict while Biden and Democrats in Congress are seen decisively as pro-Ukraine. • The strongest messaging on Biden’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine focuses on deterrence and Russia’s violation of core principles of peace and security. Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Latest wave conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org
Majorities Are Following the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Closely in the News
At least four in five Fox News viewers (85%), MSNBC viewers (89%), and CNN viewers (88%) report following the news closely, while
just 74% of social media news consumers say the same.
How closely would you say you are following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the news?
Very closely Somewhat closely Not too/At all closely Total Closely
Overall 37 41 22 78
Democrats 39 39 22 78
Independents 27 41 33 67
Republicans 38 44 18 82
Black 27 41 31 69
Hispanic 36 39 25 75
White 40 41 19 81
AAPI 31 45 24 76
Social media news consumers 31 43 26 74
Fox News viewers 42 43 15 85
MSNBC viewers 50 39 11 89
CNN viewers 47 41 12 88
Nationwide survey
Nationwide surveysofof registered
1,000 voters;
registered Each
voters wave represents
conducted approximately
March 3-March 7, 2022. 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
For more
Latest info,
wave visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgForeign Policy Is Seen as a Growing Priority for Biden and
Congress, and Americans See Them Meeting the Moment
Since early February, there has been a 24-point increase in the share who say that “national security and foreign policy” is one of the
most important issues for Biden and Congress to focus on, and 46% say they see it as Biden and Congress’s focus.
Select the top four issues that you feel are most important for President Joe Which of these issues do you feel President Joe Biden and Congress
Biden and Congress to focus on. are actually most focused on?
Feb. 22 Feb. 7 Feb. 22 Feb. 7
Jobs and the economy 52% 52 52 The coronavirus pandemic 49% 52 55
Nat. security & foreign policy, inc. Ukraine* 51 30 27 Nat. security & foreign policy, inc. Ukraine* 46 29 25
Inflation 42 46 40 Climate change and the environment 34 31 30
Immigration 31 30 27 Jobs and the economy 30 31 33
The coronavirus pandemic 29 40 46 Voting rights 25 28 31
Health care 25 27 31 Inflation 20 19 20
Climate change and the environment 25 26 27 Immigration 15 18 18
Social Security and Medicare 24 25 27 Health care 13 16 14
Corruption in government 23 28 26 Abortion 12 12 11
Crime 22 24 23 Social Security and Medicare 11 12 12
Voting rights 15 18 19 Corruption in government 9 11 10
Education 12 12 13 Education 8 9 9
Abortion 8 8 8 Crime 6 9 11
Nationwide
*Previous surveysofofthis
iterations registered
questionvoters;
phrasedEach
this wave represents
as “National approximately
security and foreign1,000 interviews
policy.” takenevents,
Given recent over the
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added three-five
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to
specify the situation
Latest wave in Ukraine.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org
Nationwide survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Americans Split Close to Evenly on Which Party is Trusted on
National Security and Foreign Policy Issues
Biden and Democrats have a narrow advantage on “maintaining strong alliances with countries around the world” over Republicans (+4)
while Republicans have a narrow advantage over Democrats on “protecting national security” (+5).
Below is a list of issues. Please indicate who you trust more to handle each one.
Net Biden and the Democratic Party
Biden and the The Republican
Overall Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
Democratic Party Don’t know Party
Maintaining strong alliances
with countries around the world
45 14 41 +4 +72 +2 -74 +61 +6 -11 +50
Making decisions about war
43 15 42 +1 +68 -2 -74 +56 +17 -14 +38
and peace
Handling foreign policy 42 16 42 0 +67 -7 -74 +53 +5 -13 +34
Protecting national security 41 13 46 -5 +61 -2 -79 +52 -11 -17 +27
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys registeredvoters;
of registered voters Each
conducted March 3-March
wave represents 7, 2022. 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
approximately
ForLatest
more wave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgMajorities Say Biden Making the Right Decisions on Ukraine –
Including a Third of GOP – But Approval Is More Polarized
When asked to rate the decisions Biden has made on the situation in Ukraine, majorities of Democrats (81%), independents (54%),
and nearly two in five Republicans say he has made the right decisions (36%). But, when asked if they approve of the job Biden is
doing handling Ukraine, just 71% of Democrats, 30% of independents, and 13% of Republicans say they approve.
So far, do you feel President Biden has made the right decisions or the Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling the
wrong decisions when it has come to the situation in Ukraine? situation in Ukraine?
Right decisions Wrong decisions Net Right Decisions Approve Not sure Disapprove Net Approval
Overall 59 41 +18 43 8 49 -6
Democrats 81 19 +62 71 10 19 +52
Independents 54 46 +8 30 12 58 -28
Republicans 36 64 -28 13 7 80 -67
Black 76 24 +52 66 12 22 +44
Hispanic 57 43 +14 41 11 48 -7
White 55 45 +10 38 7 55 -17
AAPI 75 25 +50 50 19 31 +19
Nationwide survey
Nationwide surveysofof registered
1,000 voters;
registered Each
voters wave represents
conducted approximately
March 3-March 7, 2022. 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
For more
Latest info,
wave visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org“Foreign Policy Swing,” Who Disapprove But Say Biden Making
Right Decisions, Are Male, High-Earning, & Less Ideological GOP
Those who say they disapprove of Biden’s handling of the situation in Ukraine but say he has made the right decisions so far are more
likely to be Republicans, especially those who don’t watch Fox News, are men, and earn more than $100,000 annually.
• They tend to give Biden low ratings overall, on the pandemic, and to have voted for Trump in 2020 – but on specific Biden
policies, they do support his and Democrats’ new economic plan and trust him to choose the next Supreme Court Justice.
Foreign policy swing:
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling the situation in
Ukraine? Disapprove, & Democrats Independents Republicans Net
So far, do you feel President Biden has made the right decisions or the wrong Party identification 26 11 63 -37
decisions when it has come to the situation in Ukraine? Right decisions
Liberal Moderate Conservative
Overall 14% Ideology 23 34 43 -20
Joe Biden Another candidate Donald Trump
2020 vote choice 33 65 -32
Republicans 20 Approve Not sure Disapprove
Non-Fox News Republicans 24 Biden overall approval 20 78 -58
Approve Not sure Disapprove
Rep.: HH Income $100K+ 24
Biden pandemic approval 34 64 -30
Republican men 23 Support Not sure Oppose
Support for Biden’s
2020 Trump voters 19 economic plan 61 11 28 +33
Trust Don’t trust
White suburban moms 25 Trust in Biden to pick
SCOTUS nominee 58 42 +16
WomenAmericans Are Most Worried About the Violation of Human
Rights & Loss of Life in Ukraine and Increased Gas Prices
Democrats and foreign policy swing* are most worried about the violation of human rights and the death of civilians, while independents
and Republicans are most worried about increased gas prices as a result of sanctions on Russia.
Please indicate how worried you are about each one.
% Very Worried
Very worried Somewhat worried Dem Ind Rep Foreign policy swing*
The violation of human rights and the death of innocent civilians in Ukraine 63 29 8 64 55 64 66
Increased gas prices as a result of sanctions on Russia 63 26 11 57 61 70 63
Increased inflation as the world economy is disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine 53 35 12 43 52 64 60
An increase in Russian aggression because of support from China 50 35 15 48 46 52 41
Russia invading other countries in Europe 46 37 17 45 47 47 38
The global economy falling into a recession because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and
consequent sanctions
45 39 16 41 37 51 44
The threat Russia's invasion poses to democracy around the world 45 37 18 42 47 47 35
The threat of nuclear war
44 38 18 46 40 43 33
The American economy falling into a recession because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
and consequent sanctions 42 39 19 37 43 48 39
Russia eventually attacking the United States or targeting American citizens 36 37 27 35 38 36 26
Nationwide
*”Foreign surveys
policy of registered
swing” voters;
are those who giveEach wave represents
a negative approximately
rating of the 1,000handling
job Biden’s doing interviews
the taken over
situation in the prioroverall,
Ukraine three-five
but days.
feel he has
made
Latest all or mostly
wave the right
conducted decisions
March 3-Marchon 7,
the2022.
situation. Nationwide
For more survey
info, visit of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
navigatorresearch.org
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Overwhelming Majorities Support the Economic Sanctions
Imposed Against Russia and Sending Military Aid to Ukraine
Bipartisan majorities and foreign policy swing* support sending military aid to Ukraine and the sanctions so far against Russia.
• Even among those say they are “very worried” about “increased gas prices as a result of sanctions on Russia” on a separate
question, 86% support the sanctions including 60% who strongly support them.
As you may know, President Biden and leaders of other major countries have joined together Do you support or oppose the United States sending military aid
to place initial economic sanctions on Russia as a way to discourage further military action including arms and air support to Ukraine to fight against Russia?
against Ukraine. Do you support or oppose the economic sanctions so far against Russia?
Support Not sure Oppose Net Support Support Not sure Oppose Net Support
Overall 83 7 10 +73 68 12 20 +48
Democrats 87 6 7 +80 72 11 17 +55
Independents 74 11 15 +59 59 17 24 +35
Republicans 81 7 12 +69 66 11 23 +43
Black 74 11 15 +59 67 14 19 +48
Hispanic 74 9 17 +57 65 9 26 +39
White 86 6 8 +78 70 9 21 +49
AAPI 84 9 7 +77 66 22 12 +54
Foreign policy swing* 88 5 7 +81 69 9 22 +47
Nationwide
*”Foreign surveys
policy of registered
swing” voters;
are those who giveEach wave represents
a negative approximately
rating of the 1,000handling
job Biden’s doing interviews
the taken over
situation in the prioroverall,
Ukraine three-five
but days.
feel he
has made
Latest all conducted
wave or mostly the right 3-March
March decisions7,on2022.
the situation.
For moreNationwide survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
info, visit navigatorresearch.org
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Across Party Lines, Ukraine, Zelensky, and NATO Are Viewed
Favorably While Russia and Putin Are Overwhelmingly Disliked
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s favorability increases 20 points (from net +43 to +63) when he is described with his title.
Please indicate how favorable or unfavorable you are to…
Net Favorability
**/† Split sample Favorable Unfamiliar Unfavorable Mar. 7 Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
Ukraine 77 10 13 +64 +61 +54 +71 +38 +59 +70 +76
†Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 73 17 10 +63 +59 +46 +72 +24 +52 +73 +75
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or
58 21 21 +37 +50 +26 +24 +30 +15 +40 +70
NATO
**Volodymyr Zelensky 56 31 13 +43 +44 +39 +44 +15 +39 +50 +37
Russia 9 7 84 -75 -77 -68 -74 -65 -56 -79 -80
Vladimir Putin 6 9 85 -79 -81 -67 -79 -58 -65 -84 -79
Nationwide survey
Nationwide surveysofof registered
1,000 voters;
registered Each
voters wave represents
conducted approximately
March 3-March 7, 2022. 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
For more
Latest info,
wave visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgPutin Is Deeply and Increasingly Disliked Across Party Lines
Putin’s favorability has dropped a net 16 points since late January (from net -63 to -79).
• There is no partisan group in which Putin has strength: he is at net -81 among Democrats (down -12 since late January), net -67
among independents (down -13), and net -79 among Republicans (down -21).
Please indicate how favorable or unfavorable you are to: Vladimir Putin.
Net Favorability
Favorable Unfamiliar Unfavorable Mar. 7 Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
March 7th 6 9 85 -79 -81 -67 -79 -58 -65 -84 -79
Pre-Invasion Feb. 22 Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
February 22nd 10 14 76 -66 -67 -51 -69 -43 -48 -74 -54
Jan. 24 Dem Ind Rep Black Hisp. White AAPI
January 24th 10 17 73 -63 -69 -54 -58 -49 -50 -67 -75
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
Latest wave conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgTrump Is Seen as Pro-Russia in the Current Conflict, While
Biden & Democrats in Congress Are Pro-Ukraine
Pluralities of Americans overall (-8 net pro-Ukraine), Democrats (-53), independents (-15), and foreign policy swing* (breaking even) see
Donald Trump as pro-Russia rather than pro-Ukraine in the current conflict.
• While a majority (64%) say Democrats in Congress are pro-Ukraine (net +53), just 47% say the same of Republicans (47%, net +27).
Please indicate whether you believe each individual or group is pro-Russia or pro-Ukraine in the current conflict.
Net Pro-Ukraine
Pro-Ukraine Don’t know Pro-Russia Overall Dem Ind Rep Foreign policy swing*
Joe Biden 66 22 12 +54 +76 +48 +30 +66
Democrats in Congress 64 25 11 +53 +72 +45 +35 +63
Republicans in Congress 47 33 20 +27 -2 +22 +59 +41
Fox News 41 38 21 +20 -8 +23 +51 +38
Donald Trump 33 26 41 -8 -53 -15 +45 0
Tucker Carlson 26 51 23 +3 -29 +7 +37 +4
Nationwide
*”Foreign surveys
policy of registered
swing” voters;
are those who giveEach wave represents
a negative approximately
rating of the 1,000handling
job Biden’s doing interviews
the taken over
situation in the prioroverall,
Ukraine three-five
but days.
feel he has
made
Latest all or mostly
wave the right
conducted decisions
March 3-Marchon 7,
the2022.
situation. Nationwide
For more survey
info, visit of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
navigatorresearch.org
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Vast Majorities Agree With Statements About Standing Up to
Russia and Disagree With Isolationist Statement
Roughly nine in ten agree with statements about standing up to Russia, whether to protect democracy abroad or to stop Russia’s
violent aggression. On a statement that the U.S. should stay out of Ukraine, 56% disagree, including 62% of foreign policy swing*.
• Among independents on statements about standing up to Russia, 77% agree with one focused on protecting democracy, while
86% agree with one focused on stopping Russian aggression.
It is critical that America and its allies stand It is critical that America and its allies stand The United States has no business getting
up to Russia in favor of protecting democracy up to Russia to stop Russia’s violent involved in Ukraine and we should stay out to
abroad in countries like Ukraine. aggression against other countries. protect American interests and the economy.
Do you agree or disagree with that statement?
Agree Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Disagree
Overall 88 12 90 10 44 56
Democrats 89 11 94 6 40 60
Independents 77 23 86 14 51 49
Republicans 89 11 88 12 47 53
Foreign policy swing* 87 13 88 12 38 62
Nationwide
*”Foreign surveys
policy of registered
swing” voters;
are those who giveEach wave represents
a negative approximately
rating of the 1,000handling
job Biden’s doing interviews
the taken over
situation in the prioroverall,
Ukraine three-five
but days.
feel he
has made
Latest all conducted
wave or mostly the right 3-March
March decisions7,on2022.
the situation.
For moreNationwide survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
info, visit navigatorresearch.org
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Statements About Deterrence and Russia’s Violation of Global
Peace Are Most Convincing to Support Biden’s Response
Among foreign policy swing*, messaging that focuses on deterrence to prevent Putin from doing more and Russia’s violation of global
peace and security are the most convincing reasons to support Biden’s response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Please indicate how convincing each statement is as a reason to support the Biden administration’s response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
**/† Split sample
Very Somewhat Not Total Convincing
convincing convincing convincing Overall Dem Ind Rep FP swing*
**If we let authoritarians and dictators like Putin win when they invade a free, democratic country, Putin will only be
encouraged to do more and will push to the border of Poland and other NATO countries 44 33 23 77 82 69 72 80
†If we let authoritarians and dictators like Putin win when they invade a free, democratic country, Putin will only be
encouraged to do more and will push to the border of Poland and other NATO countries that have American 43 34 22 78 84 64 74 85
troops in them
Russia has violated the core principles that uphold global peace and security, seeking to change the borders of a
sovereign country by force, and needs to be held accountable: Biden and America's allies are doing just that
39 34 27 73 85 60 62 80
Biden and America's allies are protecting global democracy by standing up to Putin and Russia: with it, they
protect freedoms like voting, freedom of speech, and the right to live a life free from dictatorship and violence
30 37 33 67 86 60 46 68
Biden and America's allies are taking the fight to Putin and his inner circle. Their sanctions and other actions have
cut Russia off from global markets, frozen any assets they have in the U.S., and blocked their travel to the U.S.
29 41 30 70 85 60 56 72
Biden has cut Russia off from American industries that create things like semiconductors, lasers, communications
equipment, and sea technology, which will choke Russia's economy, defense, and military operations 29 40 31 69 86 58 52 70
Biden and America's allies' sanctions against Russia have been devastating: Russia is experiencing a weaker
currency, rising inflation, and reduced access to global financial markets, and their stock market has lost 40% of its 28 40 32 68 84 61 52 66
value and trading remains suspended
Biden has committed to not sending American soldiers to fight in Ukraine, and instead will continue his support for 28 39 33 67 81 61 51 70
Ukraine through financial assets, sanctions against Russia, and any other tools at his disposal
Donald Trump has praised Putin as a "genius" for his invasion of Ukraine: the U.S. is lucky to have a reliable leader
like Joe Biden who doesn't support dictators and instead is focused on protecting global peace and security
26 23 52 48 69 40 28 45
Republicans are so blinded by their hateful partisanship that instead of supporting America and its allies, President
Biden, and Ukraine, they are pro-Putin, pro-Russia, and anti-democracy
21 25 54 46 68 40 24 41
Nationwide
*”Foreign surveys
policy of registered
swing” voters;
are those who giveEach wave represents
a negative approximately
rating of the 1,000handling
job Biden’s doing interviews
the taken over
situation in the prioroverall,
Ukraine three-five
but days.
feel he has
made
Latest all or mostly
wave the right
conducted decisions
March 3-Marchon 7,
the2022.
situation. Nationwide
For more survey
info, visit of 1,000 registered voters conducted March 3-March 7, 2022.
navigatorresearch.org
For more info, visit navigatorresarch.org.Strongest Rebuttals Against Republican Criticism of Biden’s
Handling of Ukraine Focus on Sanctions, Protecting Democracy
When testing a range of Democratic defenses of Biden’s handling of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, lanes that focus on Putin losing and
Biden not sending any troops to the conflict are less effective than sanctions and protecting democracy and freedom.
Which side do you find more convincing?
Statement 1: Republicans who say Biden is showing weakness in the situation in Ukraine: Putin never would have invaded Ukraine if he felt America had a
strong leader, and the initial sanctions have done nothing to stop the invasion
Statement 2: Democrats who say Statement 3: Democrats who say Statement 4: Democrats who say Statement 5: Democrats who say
Biden has led the U.S. and its allies Biden is protecting democracy and because of Biden's leadership, Putin Biden is taking on Putin
in imposing powerful and freedom, ensuring countries like is losing in this conflict: he's failed economically, punishing Russia with
immediate economic sanctions that Ukraine can continue to live freely to take the Ukrainian capital, he sanctions as we should be, but he's
punish Russia, cutting off its access without threats of violence and have can't even open his stock market, still managing to hold Russia
to vital resources, weakening its fair elections without interference and his people are protesting accountable without sending any
industrial base, and undercutting its from autocratic countries like Russia against him American troops to the conflict.
strategic ambitions
Statement 1: 39% Statement 1: 42% Statement 1: 40% Statement 1: 43%
Statement 2: 45% Statement 3: 47% Statement 4: 42% Statement 5: 45%
Net Statement 2: +6 Net Statement 3: +5 Net Statement 4: +2 Net Statement 5: +2
Nationwide
Nationwide survey of 1,000
surveys 1,395 registeredvoters;
of registered voters Each
conducted December
January
February
March 3-March
6-January
17-February
wave represents 3-December
7, 2022.
10, 22,
2022.
approximately6,2022.
2021.
1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
ForLatest
more wave
info, visit navigatorresarch.org.
conducted March 3-March 7, 2022. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgAbout Navigator For Press inquiries contact:
In a world where the news cycle is the length of a tweet, our leaders often lack the real-time public-sentiment press@navigatorresearch.org
analysis to shape the best approaches to talking about the issues that matter the most. Navigator is designed to
act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates by conducting research and reliable
guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press. Navigator is a project led by pollsters from Global To learn more about Navigator:
Strategy Group and GBAO along with an advisory committee, including: Arkadi Gerney, The Hub Project; Joel
Payne, The Hub Project; Christina Reynolds, EMILY’s List; Mike Podhorzer, AFL-CIO; Jesse Ferguson, progressive http://navigatorresearch.org
strategist; Navin Nayak, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Stephanie Valencia, EquisLabs; and Melanie
Newman, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. @NavigatorSurvey on Twitter
About the Study
Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,395 registered voters from March
3-March 7, 2022. 100 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 74 additional interviews
were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 103 additional interviews were conducted
among African American voters. 100 additional interviews were conducted among independent voters. The
survey was conducted online, recruiting respondents from an opt-in online panel vendor. Respondents were
Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days.
verified against
Latest wave a voter file
conducted and3-March
March special care For
7, 2022. wasmore
taken
info,to ensure
visit the demographic composition of our sample
navigatorresearch.org
matched that of the national registered voter population across a variety of demographic variables.You can also read
