Majority of Americans believe Trump too lenient on Putin, poll finds

A majority of Americans are dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll says.

The findings reflect growing public unease over Trump’s perceived leniency amid heightened geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports.

The survey revealed that 59 percent of respondents believe Trump is “not tough enough” on Putin, while only 31 percent view his policy as sufficiently assertive or aggressive toward the Kremlin.

Public skepticism extends beyond Trump’s posture. 66 percent of participants stated that they believe Putin is “playing games” with the West, attempting to draw the United States and its allies into a geopolitical stalemate. In contrast, just 34 percent believe that the Russian leader is genuinely seeking to end the war in Ukraine.

The poll results were released shortly after a reportedly extensive phone call between Trump and Putin, which lasted more than two hours. The Kremlin characterized the conversation as “meaningful, frank, and useful,” and announced that Moscow would begin drafting a memorandum that could potentially lead to a peace treaty with Kyiv.

Trump offered a similarly positive assessment of the call, describing it as “very good” and highlighting the “excellent” tone and spirit in which it was conducted.

However, the poll highlights ongoing concerns among the American electorate regarding Trump’s posture toward Russia. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to dominate international discourse, many remain wary of diplomatic overtures perceived as undermining the West’s unified stance on the war.

By Vafa Guliyeva