A majority of American voters believe seeking to remove Russian President Vladimir Putin from power is a "reasonable objective," according to a new survey conducted exclusively for Newsweek.
On February 24 Putin ordered his army into Ukraine, triggering one of the biggest wars in Europe since the end of World War II.
After the Russians initially made significant gains, Ukraine has recaptured some territory over the past couple of months, particularly around the northern city of Kharkiv and Kherson in the south.
According to the Redfield and Wilton poll, conducted for Newsweek, 60 percent of U.S. voters think seeking to "remove Vladimir Putin from power would be a reasonable objective."
By contrast, just 18 percent think this would "go too far," while the remaining 22 percent are undecided. The poll didn't ask how Putin should be removed from power.
The survey, of 1,500 eligible voters across the U.S., was conducted on October 23 and 24.
It also found 52 percent of Americans think Ukraine should seek to "recover all territory lost since February 2022," before seeking a peace deal with Moscow.
Another 20 percent think Kyiv should go further, and recapture all lands lost from 2014 onwards, including Crimea, before offering terms. The other 27 percent said they didn't know.
More than half of Americans think Putin using a nuclear weapon in Ukraine is either "very realistic" or "realistic."
On Wednesday, the Russian president oversaw major nuclear drills, which Russian state TV said imitated "destroying the USA and formerly great Britain."
Of those surveyed, 14 percent said the threat of Moscow using a nuclear weapon is "very realistic," with another 44 percent calling it "realistic."
By contrast, only 12 percent branded it either "unrealistic" or "very unrealistic."
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Wednesday's exercise simulated a "massive nuclear strike" in response to an attack on Russia.
Cruise missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, were launched by Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, which has a maximum range of 7,500 miles, making it capable of hitting the U.S. mainland from Russia, was also tested.
In a statement the Kremlin said: "The event was held in order to test the level of preparedness of the military command and control echelons and the skills of senior and operational personnel in organizing troop command and control.
"The tasks set out during the drill of the Strategic Deterrence Forces were performed in full. All missiles reached their targets."
However, speaking to the Kyiv Post on Wednesday, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges said Russia is "very unlikely" to deploy nuclear weapons.
He said: "Russia does have thousands of nuclear weapons and I take the threats very seriously, but I think it's very unlikely that they would use the nuclear weapon because of all the negative consequences they would have to face. And I think the Kremlin and the Russian general staff know this."
The Russian Foreign Ministry has been contacted for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
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