Donald Trump Voters Change Their Tune on Arming Ukraine

Support among President Donald Trump’s voters for the U.S. providing military aid to Ukraine has increased over the past six months, according to a polling firm.

The Echelon Insights poll found a rise in the proportion of Trump supporters backing U.S. aid to Ukraine compared with when the president returned to the White House in January.

When respondents were told that it was Trump’s decision, their support rose even further. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

Why It Matters

Trump had cast doubt on Washington’s continuing role as the world’s largest provider of military aid to Ukraine to fight against Russian aggression. Concerns in Kyiv about U.S. commitment grew during the early months of Trump’s second term amid temporary pauses in assistance and a pivot toward closer relations with Moscow.

However, following a successful NATO summit and his growing unhappiness with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of a U.S. peace deal, Trump appears to have reversed his reluctance for arming Kyiv—as long as NATO pays for the weapons.

What To Know

The Echelon Insights survey of 1,084 voters was conducted between July 14 and 17. It had a 3.6 percent margin of error and asked voters of all stripes a wide range of questions, including two on the U.S.’s support for Ukraine.

The first question said, “Do you support or oppose continuing to give weapons to Ukraine for the conflict with Russia?”

Of the voters who backed Trump in the 2024 election, 49 percent either strongly or somewhat supported the move. In comparison, 36 percent either somewhat or strongly opposed it.

When respondents were told that Trump had made the decision, the figure was higher. The second question said, “Do you support or oppose Donald Trump’s decision to continue giving weapons to Ukraine for the conflict with Russia?”

In response, 65 percent of Trump voters backed the provision of arms to Ukraine, almost three times the 22 percent who opposed the move.

The results suggest a shift in attitudes among Trump supporters toward aid for Ukraine over the past six months.

In a poll with a 3.5 percent margin of error conducted between January 22 and 24, shortly after the Republican president returned to the White House, 36 percent of his supporters believed continued American military support for Kyiv was a good idea, compared with 38 percent who believed it was a bad idea.

Yuriy Boyechko, the CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine, told Newsweek that he welcomed Trump’s announcement of renewed supplies of military equipment to Ukraine. But he said they needed to be accompanied by economic pressure on Russia.

He also said the 50-day deadline Trump has given Russia to agree to a deal or else face additional secondary sanctions “is way too long” given reports that Putin plans a major offensive in the coming months.

What People Are Saying

Echelon pollster Patrick Ruffini wrote on X: “In a split test, more Trump voters now favor continuing to give weapons to Ukraine.”

Yuriy Boyechko, the CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine, told Newsweek: “At the present moment, Trump’s approach to aiding Ukraine has not really materialized since most of it is just promises and statements.”

He added: “Putin has announced that he plans a major offensive in Ukraine over the next 60 days, so both the U.S. and Western countries need to act quickly by supplying more military equipment and imposing crippling sanctions against Russia.”

What Happens Next

Trump has said U.S. weapons can go to Ukraine if paid for by NATO’s European members, although there appears to be uncertainty about the details of the plan.

He also said some weapons systems could be delivered to Ukraine “within days,” though European and U.S. officials cited by Reuters said the proposal had been hastily devised without prior notification.