Most oppose becoming ‘too involved’ in Ukraine

Most people think the United States should not get “too involved” in the situation in Ukraine, according to a new poll. 

A Pew Research poll released Tuesday found 56 percent of people say the United States should not get too involved after Russian forces took over the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. Another 29 percent think the United States needs to take a firm stand.

{mosads}Fifteen percent have no opinion. The survey was conducted March 6-9 and polled 1,003 people. It has a 3.6-percent margin of error. 

Majorities of both parties think the United States should not get too involved. 

The Obama administration has consistently maintained its position of “restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and ensuring the Ukrainian people are able to determine their own future without foreign interference.”

Of those who think the United States needs to take a firm stand, only 8 percent say the United States should consider military action. Nineteen percent believe economic and political action should be on the table. 

President Obama signed an executive order last week, building a framework for economic sanctions for officials who are working to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty. However, no officials have yet been named. 

The House passed a package that guarantees $1 billion in loans for the country, something the Obama administration has promised. 

The poll finds 44 percent of people disapprove of the Obama administration’s handling of the situation there. That mirrors a Washington Post-ABC News poll released Tuesday as well. 

However, only 30 percent approve of the Obama administration’s handling in the Pew poll. That’s more than 10 points below the Washington Post poll. 

A large swath of people, 26 percent, have no opinion.