President Joe Biden continues to garner low marks for his tenure in the Oval Office as a new poll shows Americans’ faith in his foreign policy has dropped during the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Only 40% of voters approved of Biden’s handling of foreign affairs, a new Gallup poll found, while a low 36% gave the president’s a thumbs up for his handling of Russia’s threat to Ukraine.
The numbers track with Biden’s low marks for his handling of the economy and the COVID pandemic – all of which have contributed to his a steep decline in his overall approval rating since he took office a little more than a year ago.
Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who prides himself of his knowledge of international relations, has seen voters’ faith in his ability drop 16 points in the past year.
In February of last year, 56% approved of Biden’s foreign policy. But, in the aftermath of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan followed by the current instability in Ukraine, his approval is down to the 40% mark.
Biden’s overall approval rating was 41% in the Gallup poll while his handling of the economy sat at 37% – compared to 54% a year ago.
President Joe Biden continues to garner low marks for his tenure in the Oval Office as a new poll shows Americans’ faith in his foreign policy has dropped during the Russia-Ukraine crisis
The president’s low marks come as Democrats are defending their control of the Senate and the House in the upcoming midterm election.
But voters are showing frustration with the record high level of inflation, the continuing restrictions tied to the Covid pandemic, and increasing gas prices tied to Russia’s actions in Eastern Europe.
Inflation has risen to 7.5% annually, the highest in four decades. Regular gasoline – a price easily seen and felt by consumers – cost an average $3.53 per gallon nationally last week, up from $2.58 a year ago, AAA said.
‘Biden’s ability to navigate the current conflict with Russia, take steps to combat inflation, and preside over a now improving COVID-19 situation will be key factors in determining whether he can regain support among Democrats and independents and improve his overall job rating,’ Gallup wrote in its analysis of Biden’s numbers.
It’s unclear how the trend lines will continue over the next nine months until the election.
Biden’s advisers have argued inflation will decrease by year’s end.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile.
New sanctions are expected on Tuesday after, on Monday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order that prohibits new investment, trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic or the Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine.
Biden has yet to impose direct sanctions on Russia.
Monday’s action was in response to Vladimir Putin’s declaration that Russia would recognize the two breakaway regions of Ukraine as separate countries. The Russian president also activated troops in that region, which the U.S. has called ‘the beginning of invasion.’
‘We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,’ Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer told CNN on Tuesday.
Putin called the two regions the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). This move has paved the way for Russia to create pacts with the so-called states to assist in security in the area and get their forces on Ukrainian soil.
New videos show the Russian army’s so-called ‘peacekeeping’ force on the ground inside Ukraine, as the U.S. tries to convince European allies to impose tough sanctions.
Voters have given President Joe Biden low marks for his handling of Russia’s handling of the Ukraine – above Biden and Vladimir Putin at their June 2021 Geneva meeting
A tank drives along a street in Donetsk on Monday night
Ukrainians are preparing for Russian forces to arrive on their doorsteps after coming onto the country’s soil Monday evening after recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent states
Military vehicles were seen after night fell on Monday in Makiivka, in the so-called DPR, recognized hours earlier as an independent state by Putin.
Other footage showed armored vehicles at other locations in the DPR and neighboring LPR, also recognized by the Kremlin.
No insignia were visible on the vehicles, but there is little doubt they are Russian forces deployed on Putin’s orders.
At the same time, Ukraine said heavy shelling broke out along nearly all 250 miles of its frontline with the breakaway provinces, leaving two of its soldiers dead and 12 injured in a major escalation in violence.
Videos and images showed pro-Russian separatists lighting celebratory fireworks and waving Russian flags in Donetsk city following Putin’s announcement of recognition – and came as Biden issued an executive order banning U.S. investment or trade with the two regions.
The State Department also ordered its remaining staff to leave Ukraine for the safety of Poland.