More than 70% of Americans support ban on Russian oil, no-fly zone over Ukraine

A large bipartisan majority of Americans think the U.S. should ban Russian energy imports and help implement a “no-fly zone” over Ukraine to protect it from Russian air strikes, according to a new poll Friday.

The poll, conducted by Reuters and Ipsos on Mar. 3-4, found that Americans want President Joe Biden to respond more forcefully to continued Russian aggression, who have begun shelling civilian areas.

Eighty percent of Americans, including majorities of Republicans and Democrats, said the U.S. should stop buying Russian oil, the poll found.

The White House is considering cuts to Russian oil and gas imports as the Senate is fast-tracking legislation, sponsored by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AL) and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (WV), that would ban it.

A smaller majority (62%) said they were willing to pay more for fuel and gas if it would help Ukraine.

A similarly bipartisan 74% of Americans think the Biden administration should help NATO establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine that would keep out the Russian military planes.

Reuters reported it was not clear if respondents who supported a no-fly zone were fully aware of the risk enforcing one if Russia, a nuclear power, chose to violate it.

The poll found broad support for other measures against Russian leader Vladimir Putin, such as the additional sanctions (81%), seizing the assets of Russian oligarchs (77%) and providing Ukraine with weapons (72%).

However, Americans continue to oppose any U.S. military intervention, with a majority opposed to sending troops to Ukraine or conducting air strikes to support the Ukrainian army.

Western ties to Russian oil have come under scrutiny as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. The U.S., U.K. and European Union continued to spend an estimated $500 million per day on Russian energy imports.