Pew Research: Partisan Divides Persist on U.S. Aid to Ukraine and NATO

Nearly three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Americans remain divided on U.S. support for Ukraine, NATO membership, and European defense spending—largely along partisan lines. A new Pew Research Center survey, conducted in February 2025, highlights these divisions, showing shifts in public opinion on key aspects of U.S. foreign policy.

Mixed Views on U.S. Support for Ukraine

The survey found that 30% of Americans believe the U.S. is providing too much aid to Ukraine, a slight increase from November 2024. Meanwhile, 22% say the U.S. is not providing enough aid, up from 18%. These shifts bring opinions closer to pre-election levels.

Partisan differences are stark: nearly half of Republicans (47%) think the U.S. is giving too much support, compared to just 14% of Democrats. Conversely, 35% of Democrats believe the U.S. is not providing enough aid, compared to only 10% of Republicans. Among younger Democrats (under 30), opinions are more evenly split, while older Democrats are more likely to favor increased support.

Does Helping Ukraine Strengthen U.S. National Security?

Opinions also differ on whether aiding Ukraine benefits U.S. national security. Overall, 39% of Americans believe it helps, while 31% say it hurts, and 27% see no impact. Democrats (53%) are much more likely to view it as beneficial compared to Republicans (27%). Notably, younger Republicans are more skeptical, with 45% saying U.S. support for Ukraine harms national security.

Republican Skepticism Toward NATO Increases

A majority of Americans (63%) believe NATO membership benefits the U.S., but this represents a slight decline from 2024. Republican support for NATO has dropped to 47%—the lowest level since Pew began tracking the question in 2021—while Democratic views remain stable, with around 80% believing NATO is beneficial.

Declining Support for Increased European Defense Spending

Support for increasing European defense spending has declined among both Republicans and Democrats. Currently, 39% of Americans say European allies should spend more on defense, down from 47% in April 2024. While Republicans (50%) remain more likely than Democrats (30%) to believe Europe should boost its military spending, fewer people in both parties now hold this view compared to last year.

Why This Matters to U.S. Interests

The U.S. has long viewed NATO and support for allies like Ukraine as essential to its national security strategy. Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s invasion is not just about its sovereignty—it also deters Russian aggression that could destabilize Europe and challenge global security. NATO, as a cornerstone of U.S. alliances, helps maintain geopolitical stability, preventing conflicts that could draw the U.S. into larger wars. Additionally, ensuring European countries contribute adequately to their own defense reduces the burden on U.S. military resources. How the U.S. navigates these issues will shape its global influence, economic security, and military commitments in the years ahead.