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The share of Americans who say the U.S. is doing "too much" to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia aggression jumped to 41% last month — driven by growing concern among Republicans, according to a new survey by Gallup.

Why it matters: The findings come as newly-established Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to bring a vote this week on aid for Israel — decoupling it from Ukraine aid and border funds.

There has been growing division among Republican lawmakers over how far the U.S. should go in providing additional aid for Ukraine.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell continues to double down on his support.

Johnson has indicated support for at least some additional aid for Ukraine, even if not the $61 billion asked for by the White House in a sweeping $106 billion package.

By the numbers: A plurality of Americans now say the U.S. is doing too much to help Ukraine, while one-in-three say the U.S. is helping the "right amount" — down from 43% in June. Just 25% say the U.S. is not doing enough.

62% of Republicans now say the U.S. is doing too much to help Ukraine — up from 50% in June.

44% of Independents say the U.S. is doing too much to help Ukraine — a jump of 10 percentage points since June.

Only 14% of Democrats said the U.S. is doing "too much."

Zoom in: 80% of Democrats said they would rather the U.S. help Ukraine reclaim its territory than end the conflict as quickly as possible —the same level it's been since the question was first asked in August 2022.

55% of Republicans want the U.S. to try to end the conflict as soon as possible, while 41% say they would choose Ukraine reclaiming its territory.

Poll: U.S. public's support for Ukraine begins to wane

Driven by growing concern among Republicans.

Ukraine

Politics & Policy

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

A woman crosses herself as she passes the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, in Kyiv last month. Photo: Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine on Monday marked 600 days since the start of Russia's invasion, as the bloodshed stretches on with no clear end in sight.

The big picture: Ukraine's counteroffensive, launched roughly four months ago, has made some headway — but it's had limited success against Russia's larger military, AP reports.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated "600 days of defiance" in a post on X Monday.

"I thank everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine's freedom," he said. "May the memory of everyone who gave their lives to preserve our nation be eternal and blessed. 

State of play: Zelensky has acknowledged that the counteroffensive has progressed more slowly than he'd like, noting that it further highlights the need for Western military equipment.

Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday the first known usage of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian forces. "Today I am especially grateful to the United States," Zelensky said.

The U.S. reportedly secretly sent a "small number" of the long-range guided missiles in recent days," the Wall Street Journal reported. 

Zoom out: A successful counteroffensive by Ukraine would make it easier to reach a negotiated settlement in the war, but also ramps up concerns that Russia could turn to its nuclear arsenal.

At the UN General Assembly last month, Zelensky reiterated warnings that Russia had committed genocide in Ukraine.

U.S. aid for Ukraine, meanwhile, has become mired in political opposition from Republicans.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional developments.

Ukraine marks 600 days of war as Russian assault wears on

"I thank everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine's freedom," Ukraine's President Zelensky said.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

A woman crosses herself as she passes the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine

Sneak Peek

Axios Sneak Peek

With Congress paralyzed, the Biden administration is exploring — and implementing — creative ways to achieve its goals in Ukraine without signoff from Capitol Hill.

Why it matters: U.S. allies are depending on military aid to fight wars in both Europe and the Middle East. The U.S. government itself faces a shutdown in a month.

But without a speaker of the House, it's hard to see how either war — or the U.S. government — will be funded.

That's putting pressure on Biden officials to minimize the potential collateral damage from a problem — GOP infighting — that they didn't create.

Driving the news: In Luxembourg this week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to encourage European officials to take concrete steps to capture the interest generated on some $200 billion in Russian assets held in European accounts, according to a U.S. official.

In Marrakech last week, Yellen helped convince G-7 finance ministers and central bankers to publicly announce they are exploring the idea.

This month, the Pentagon announced it sent Ukraine more than 1 million rounds of Iranian ammunition that it seized en route to Yemen.

The Biden administration is also considering using an existing State Department grant program to help Ukraine purchase weapons, Politico reports.

But, but, but: Biden officials are clear that there are limits to their ability to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel and fund the government.

"There's no gigantic set of resources that we don't need Congress for," Yellen told the New York Times last week.

Between the lines: There's a difference between skimming off interest from Russian sovereign assets and seizing them outright, as former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and former World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick have called for.

The efforts are intensifying, the Washington Post notes, but there are significant legal complications.

What we're watching: The Biden administration is preparing to send a new supplemental spending request to Congress this week, asking for more money for border security, Ukraine, Israel and potentially Taiwan.

The bottom line: A protracted government shutdown, coupled with a drawn-out war in the Middle East, could tip the economy into recession. The political fallout from an economic slowdown will be felt by both parties.

While the White House plans to pin the political blame on that on the GOP, Biden might not escape unscathed, especially if U.S. workers feel the pain at home.

Team Biden looks for creative ways to help Ukraine

Congress is paralyzed as U.S. allies fight wars in both Europe and the Middle East.

Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last month. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to visit Israel in a show of solidarity with the country amid the fighting in Gaza, two Ukrainian and Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: A visit by Zelensky would boost international support for Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Behind the scenes: Zelensky's office sent an official request to the Israeli Prime Minister's office asking to coordinate a visit, the Ukrainian and Israeli officials said. 

The officials said the talks on the issue are preliminary and there is still no date for a visit.

Zelensky told reporters on Wednesday that in the early days of Russia's invasion, it was critical for Ukraine not to feel alone and that international support helped a lot.

"This is why I urge all leaders to visit Israel and show their support for the people. I'm not talking about any institutions, but about support for the people who suffered from terrorist attacks and are dying today," Zelensky said after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.

Zelensky's office and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined to comment.

Driving the news: Since Hamas' attack on Saturday, Zelensky has given Israel strong public support and equated Hamas to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky was one of the first leaders to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and express support for Israel.

"In the face of such a terrorist strike, everyone who values life must stand in solidarity ... Israel has the full right to defend itself against terror," Zelensky said in a statement shortly after the attack.

The big picture: Russia has not expressed support for Israel or condemned Hamas. Putin on Tuesday said the violence was "a vivid example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East," per Reuters.

Russia has been holding formal talks with Hamas for years, including hosting official Hamas delegations in Moscow.

Putin hasn't spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the war began. 

During a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday, Putin expressed concern over the "catastrophic increase" in the number of civilians killed in the war, the Kremlin said.

State of play: Ukraine is seeking additional aid from Congress to support its war effort, but the House speakership crisis has empowered Republican hardliners who oppose new funding.

Some members of Congress are considering tying Ukraine and Israel aid together, but some Republicans are opposed, Axios' Andrew Solender reports.

Scoop: Zelensky asks to visit Israel in show of solidarity

A visit by Zelensky would boost international support for Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2020. Photo: Oded Balilty/AFP via Getty Images

Volodymyr Zelensky

Axios Explains: Israel-Hamas war

Russia

Retiring Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley said in an interview aired Sunday evening that Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces would be "long and hard and very bloody" and take a "considerable length of time."

Yes, but: He warned in the interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" that there would be major consequences if the U.S. were to cut aid to Ukraine.

Why it matters: U.S. aid to Ukraine is in jeopardy following the ouster of  former Speaker Kevin McCarthy — as Republican candidates seeking to succeed him face a conference that has grown increasingly hostile to the issue, per Axios'  Zachary Basu.

What they're saying: CBS' Norah O'Donnell asked Milley why funding Ukraine was worth the effort "with all of the issues facing Americans at home."

Milley responded: "If Ukraine loses and Putin wins, I think you would be certainly increasing, if not doubling, your defense budget in the years ahead. 

"And you will increase the probability of a great power war in the next 10 to 15 years. I think it would be a very dangerous situation" if the Russian leader's invading forces were "allowed to win."

Go deeper: Biden's team rushes to assure allies on Ukraine aid

Biden's team rushes to assure allies on Ukraine aid

Gen. Milley on Ukraine aid: "Dangerous situation" if Putin wins war

"If Ukraine loses ... you would be certainly increasing, if not doubling, your defense budget in the years ahead."

A screenshot of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley on CBS' "60 Minutes."

Retiring Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley on CBS' "60 Minutes." Photo: CBS News/"60 Minutes"

Mark Milley

The death toll of a Russian strike on a cafe in Ukraine's Kharkiv region rose to 52 on Friday, Ukrainian officials confirmed.

The big picture: The attack is one of the deadliest on Ukrainian civilians since Russia's unprovoked invasion began. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Telegram post Thursday that the attack was a "completely deliberate act of terrorism."

"Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world," said Zelensky, who is in Spain meeting with European leaders.

Details: The strike, which took place shortly after 1 pm local time on Thursday, occurred in the village of Hroza. 

A 6-year-old boy was among the dead, Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Synehubov said in Telegram post earlier Thursday.

The death toll made the strike the "bloodiest crime" committed by Russia in Kharkiv region since the start of the invasion, he added in a subsequent post.

The office of Ukraine's Prosecutor General added in a Telegram post that seven other people were initially hurt in the attack; one person later died in the hospital from their injuries.

The death toll gradually ticked up, reaching 52 casualties and six wounded, Synehubov confirmed in a Telegram post Friday. 

Russia denied that it had targeted Ukrainian civilians.

"We continue to repeat: the Russian military does not strike civilian targets," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday when asked about the attack on Hroza, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Russia only carries out strikes on "places where military personnel gather," Peskov said.

Zoom out: The strike comes at a fraught time for U.S. aid to Ukraine. 

The Biden administration has sought to reassure worried allies that military aid will continue, even as more Republicans have voiced opposition.

Additional aid for Ukraine's defense was notably excluded from a government stopgap funding measure last weekend.

"It does worry me," President Biden told reporters Wednesday about how Republicans' internal divisions could impact aid Ukraine aid.

European officials are worried they may not be able to fully bridge the gap in military and economic support if U.S. aid diminishes, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Go deeper: Speaker chaos deepens Ukraine funding threat

Speaker chaos deepens Ukraine funding threat

Russian strike kills 52 Ukrainians in one of war's deadliest attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a "completely deliberate act of terrorism."

A mourner holds flowers near the site of a Russian strike that killed 52 Ukrainians on Thursday.

A woman holds flowers as Ukrainian rescuers work to remove debris following a Russian strike on Thursday that hit a shop and cafe in the village of Groza. Photo: Genya SAVILOV / AFP via Getty Images

U.S. aid to Ukraine is emerging as the biggest potential casualty from Kevin McCarthy's ouster as House speaker, as GOP candidates jostle for support from a conference that has grown increasingly hostile to the war effort.

Why it matters: Publicly, McCarthy toed a skeptical line on Ukraine, keenly aware that any misstep would trigger a backlash from the right flank that ultimately sealed his fate. Privately, he struck a tone far more aligned with the national security establishment.

Case in point: McCarthy denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the chance to address a joint meeting of Congress last month as GOP hardliners threatened a government shutdown.

But in a closed-door meeting the same day, McCarthy told Zelensky that he supports Ukraine and asked what could be done to assure skeptical Republicans that the war is winnable.

What they're saying: In a remarkably candid press conference following his removal Tuesday night, McCarthy cited his visit to Ukraine in 2015 — after Russia first sent troops into the eastern Donbas region — as a reason the issue is "so personal" to him.

"I'm really concerned long-term: What's happening looks a lot like the 1930s. A lot of action Putin takes is a lot like Hitler," McCarthy said, drawing parallels between Russia's invasion and the buildup to World War II.

Between the lines: McCarthy also acknowledged telling President Biden that the House would ensure he could transfer existing U.S. weapon stockpiles to Ukraine, after that authorization was left out of the stopgap funding bill.

Twice during the last several days, Biden has made vague references to that commitment — which now appears to be dead.

Biden announced Wednesday that he plans to give a "major speech" on Ukraine soon, as U.S. officials privately assess that Russia is ramping up its influence operations with the goal of undermining support for Kyiv.

In a letter to congressional leaders last week, a Pentagon official warned that the U.S. only had $1.6 billion remaining of the $25.9 billion Congress has provided for replenishing stockpiles sent to Ukraine.

State of play: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a top contender for speaker, told reporters that he opposes putting a new Ukraine aid package on the floor: "The most pressing issue on Americans' minds is not Ukraine," he said.

A spokesperson later clarified that Jordan wants to know what the end goal of U.S. support is and how the money is being spent — a position echoed by Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), another likely candidate for speaker.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), the front-runner for the job, voted in favor of a $300 million Ukraine funding package last week — but like any other candidate, his path to 218 votes will be extremely fraught if he publicly names Ukraine a priority.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), one of the most vocal opponents of the war effort, has vowed not to support any speaker candidate who supports aid to Ukraine.

The intrigue: A new poll out today shows 63% of Americans still favor arming Ukraine — even as Republican support has dropped from 68% to 50% since July 2022.

A bipartisan, pro-Ukraine majority exists in both chambers of Congress, but the outsized influence of House GOP hardliners is threatening to block new funding from ever reaching the floor.

Some Republicans are eyeing a grand compromise with Democrats that ties Ukraine aid to border security measures, but nothing can move forward while the House remains paralyzed.

The bottom line: Biden's team was scrambling as recently as this week — before McCarthy's ouster — to assure U.S. allies that aid would continue despite growing GOP opposition.

That promise, as Biden acknowledged Wednesday, is suddenly under more strain than ever.

denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

"The most pressing issue on Americans' minds is not Ukraine," said speaker candidate Jim Jordan.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) surrounded by reporters Wednesday. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

President Biden in a conference call Tuesday morning stressed to the leaders of nearly a dozen U.S. allies and partners that he is committed to continue giving military assistance to Ukraine as long as it takes, according to the White House.

Why it matters: There are mounting fears among America's allies, particularly in Europe, that the U.S. may stop providing aid to Ukraine amid opposition from a growing number of Republicans in Congress. 

Driving the news: The continuing resolution Congress passed Saturday funded the U.S. government until mid-November, but didn't include additional money for military assistance to Kyiv.

Since then, Biden officials have scrambled to reassure U.S. allies that the assistance to Ukraine will continue. 

Details: Tuesday's call — the first such conference call since the beginning of Russia's invasion last year — included the leaders or foreign ministers of Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, the U.K., France, the European Commission, European Council and NATO. 

On Sunday and Monday, Biden administration officials at various levels also spoke with their counterparts in Europe and in NATO member states, reiterating Biden's weekend comments that U.S. aid will continue.

One European diplomat said Biden's team has told allies that it's working on an agreement with Congress to allow continued military aid to Ukraine.

What they're saying: White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters later Tuesday that time "is not our friend." 

Kirby said that there is currently enough funding left to continue sending assistance to Kyiv for a bit longer, but he stressed that Congress must act to make sure there is no disruption to U.S. support moving forward. 

When pressed on how long before aid would run out, he said a "few weeks or a few months." He added the exact timeline is difficult to know because it depends on Ukraine's needs. 

He said Biden expects House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to uphold his public commitments to support Ukraine. Biden told U.S. allies that he believes there will be bipartisan support for continuing aid to Ukraine, Kirby said.

Kirby also warned that any disruption would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.  

This story has been updated with Kirby's comments. 

Biden calls allies as anxiety grows over future of U.S. aid to Ukraine

Biden stressed he is committed to continue giving military assistance to Kyiv.

Biden in the Oval Office in December 2021. Photo: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images

Joe Biden

Two world heritage sites in Ukraine risk being damaged from Russia's military attacks on historic cities, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warns.

Driving the news: UNESCO said in a statement on Monday that it included on the List of World Heritage in Danger sites Lviv's historic center and a cathedral complex in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv "due to threats linked to shelling."

"Inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger further strengthens local conservation measures. It also opens the door to international technical and financial support, as well as signaling the importance of helping to protect these sites," UNESCO said.

The big picture: The two protected sites join Odesa's historic city center as areas listed as endangered by the Russian military invasion.

Of note: Even though Russia has been a member of the World Heritage Convention for decades, its military has repeatedly targeted and damaged cultural sites in Odesa's center.

As a member of the convention, Russia had to pledge to avoid actions that would harm heritage sites in other countries.

Putin's forces severely damaged an 18th-century Orthodox church and killed two people in a missile attack in July. UNESCO denounced that attack and warned that it may amount to a war crime if the act was deliberate.

The attacks came despite assurances from Russian officials that the country's military was taking precautions to spare heritage sites, UNESCO said in an earlier statement.

Details: Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral has been a heritage site since 1990.

The cathedral and the monastic complex around it are key symbols of Ukraine. A monument of 11th-century architecture, it was a stronghold of early Orthodox Christianity and contributed to its expansion across Europe.

Lviv's city center has been a protected site since 1998. After its founding in the late Middle ages, it has remained a administrative, religious, commercial and cultural hub for hundreds of years. 

What they're saying: UNESCO World Heritage Committee said ahead of adding the two sites to the list that faced "with the risk of direct attack, these sites are also vulnerable to the shockwaves caused by the bombing of the two cities."

It said they "have remained under permanent threat since the start of the invasion on 24 February 2022."

Zoom out: The committee, which was meeting in Riyadh until Monday, voted this month to add 42 new heritage sites to the list. 

Others included a Guatemalan archeological area that dates back to the early rise of the Mayans and the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks in Ohio.

Go deeper: Zelensky calls Russia's actions in Ukraine "clearly a genocide"

Zelensky calls Russia's actions in Ukraine "clearly a genocide"

UNESCO: Ukraine world heritage sites endangered by Russian invasion

It said Russia has repeatedly targeted and damaged other cultural sites in Ukraine.

Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of the endangered sites, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in August 2022.

Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of the endangered sites, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in August 2022. Photo: Yurii Stefanyak/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

President Biden announced a new $325 million aid package for Ukraine during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit Thursday.

Why it matters: Zelensky's visit comes at a crucial moment for Ukraine, as it seeks to shore up support and secure additional funding for its counteroffensive against Russia.

What they're saying: "Today I approved the next tranche of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine including more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons and next week, the first U.S. Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine," Biden said.

The latest aid package will focus on bolstering Ukraine's air defense capabilities, Biden said.

Details: In addition to meeting Biden, Zelensky had a closed-door meeting Thursday afternoon with U.S. senators, many of whom publicly praised the wartime leader afterward. 

They discussed "the battlefield situation and priority defense needs," Zelensky wrote in a post on X Thursday, thanking senators for their support.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also took to X to share a photo with Zelensky, writing that "American support for Ukraine is not charity. It's in our own direct interests."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) praised Zelensky's "powerful, heartfelt message," also sharing a photo from the meeting.

Of note: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Thursday said he denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request to deliver a joint address to Congress. 

"Zelensky asked for a joint session, we just didn't have time. He's already given a joint session," McCarthy told reporters Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, following his meeting with House lawmakers, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told reporters the president had "world courage and world clarity."

State of play: Biden in August requested $24 billion of additional aid for the country. 

"Mr. Zelensky said, 'If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war,'" Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday.

But Republican opposition for additional aid for Kyiv has been mounting. In a letter to the Biden administration Thursday, 29 Republicans voiced their opposition to the funding.

Zoom out: Zelensky addressed the UN Security Council Wednesday, condemning Russia's "criminal and unprovoked aggression" and the UN's inaction.

Russia launched massive strikes against Ukraine Thursday, ahead of Zelensky's meeting with President Biden, Congress and the Pentagon.

"We must work together to fully deprive Russia of its terrorist potential.  At my meetings, air defense will be among top priorities," Zelensky posted on X Thursday.

Worth noting: The Department of Defense said Thursday that its Ukraine operations are exempt from a potential government shutdown, which is becoming increasingly inevitable.

Go deeper: Zelensky's frosty welcome to D.C.

Biden announces $325 million in Ukraine aid during Zelensky visit

Zelensky's visit to D.C. comes at a crucial moment for Ukraine.

Presidents Biden and Zelensky with first ladies Jill Biden and Olena Zelenska at the White House on Sept. 21.

Presidents Biden and Zelensky with first ladies Jill Biden and Olena Zelenska at the White House on Sept. 21. Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The Biden administration announced a new $425 million military assistance package for Ukraine on Friday.

Why it matters: The aid will help bolster Ukraine's capabilities as Russia's assault stretches into another winter. It also follows a recent warning from Ukraine's top military commander that the country's counteroffensive had reached a "stalemate."

U.S. announces $425 million in new military aid for Ukraine

The new package will help bolster Ukraine's capabilities as Russia's invasion drags on.

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