A poll found Americans are showing strong support for sanctions against Russia even if it means paying more at the pump.
According to a CBS News poll published Sunday, 63% of Americans support sanctions on Russian oil and gas even if gas prices increase compared to 36% who oppose them.
When asked why they support sanctions on Russian oil, 82% said they support helping Ukraine and punishing Russia. Eighty-four percent of Democrats support sanctions on Russian oil and gas while 76% of Republicans say the same.
If prices keep increasing, 63% said the U.S. should increase oil and gas production. On President Joe Biden’s handling of Russia and Ukraine, only 46% approve while 54% disapprove.
Fifty-two percent of Americans believe Biden’s actions towards Russia have not been strong enough. Only 36% said they have been “about right” and 12% said they have been “too strong.”
CBS NEWS POLL: Strong support for Russian sanctions even if gas prices increase https://t.co/wmbRhEV8OQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 13, 2022
Speaking to a gathering of House Democrats on Friday, Biden stressed the spike in gas prices is not his fault, as IJR reported.
“Make no mistake, inflation is largely the fault of Putin. I love the Republicans saying it’s Biden saying he’s going to stop the Keystone pipeline — and I did — and that’s the reason prices went up. Folks, let’s get something straight there. The Keystone pipeline was two years away and had been 2% finished. Give me a break,” Biden said.
He added, “Don’t let anybody tell you anything you did supporting the idea that we block Russian oil coming into the country — and I said at the time prices are going to go up for gasoline — it wasn’t anything we did.”
According to The Associated Press, the average price of gas increased 79 cents over the past two weeks. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said gas prices in the short term will likely remain high, as the outlet reported.