Story Highlights
- 58% say it’s more important to try to improve relations
- 36% think U.S. should take strong diplomatic or economic steps
- Those closely following story on Russia and the 2016 election prefer sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an era of increasingly tense U.S.-Russian relations marked by allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections, Americans believe it is more important to try to continue efforts to improve relations between the countries (58%), rather than taking strong diplomatic and economic steps against Russia (36%).
Gallup asked a similar question in 1994, when an even larger margin preferred improving relations with Russia over sanctions, 76% to 20%. That poll was conducted after former CIA agent Aldrich Ames and his wife were arrested on charges of spying for Russia. Ames was later convicted of espionage.
The current poll, conducted Aug. 1-12, comes against a backdrop of concern about Russian interference in U.S. elections. In a July summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump appeared to dispute the U.S. intelligence community’s findings that Russia attempted to influence the outcome of the election. Meanwhile, independent counsel Robert Mueller is investigating possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Two-thirds of Americans say they are following the news about Russia and the 2016 U.S. presidential election closely, including 33% who say “very closely.” That is slightly above the average 60% level of attention paid to more than 200 news stories Gallup has asked about since 1991.
