Seven out of ten Americans see Russia as an enemy

Americans’ views of Russia have soured since the invasion of Ukraine, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center. 70% of U.S. respondents now say that they would consider Russia as an enemy, up from 41% in January.

It’s an issue that appears to have created some consent across the aisle, with 72% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans now calling Russia an enemy. The two parties have seen divides deepen throughout the Trump era including on the issue of Russia - but seem to be finding common ground over views on the rival superpower in light of the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, only 6% of Americans say they have confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is in stark contrast to the 72% of people who have expressed confidence in his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Gallup, U.S. perceptions of Russia have been rocky throughout Putin’s era.

While they started off favorable in 2006, with 73% of Americans calling Russia a friend or ally, they have seen a downward trend ever since 2013, following the war with Georgia and then the annexation of Crimea.

While sentiments seemed to warm somewhat under the Trump administration, and Pew polls even indicated that 49% of Americans considered the country as merely a competitor at the beginning of this year, the chart shows that number has sunk once more. (Statista)