WASHINGTON DC — A new foreign policy poll released today by Independent Women finds broad bipartisan concern about Russia’s actions against U.S. interests and strong support for policies that project American strength and deter adversaries.
The Independent Women Russia Survey, conducted by Wick Insights among 1,000 registered voters nationwide, reveals that many Americans remain unaware of some of Russia’s most egregious actions against Ukraine and the United States. Yet when voters learn more about Russia’s conduct—from cyberattacks targeting American infrastructure and support for Iran to the abduction of Ukrainian children and the use of rape and sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon of war—outrage is overwhelming and concerns rise sharply across party lines.
The findings were released at Independent Women’s national security summit, “America’s Adversaries: The Russia Reality,” which convened leading policymakers, military leaders, intelligence experts, journalists, and foreign policy experts to examine the threat Russia poses to American interests.
A majority of voters (61%) “strongly” or “somewhat” agree that taking a tougher stance on Russia is consistent with an America First foreign policy because it projects strength and deters adversaries. That view is shared by sixty-five percent (65%) of Democrats, sixty-four percent (64%) of Republicans, and fifty-two percent (52%) of Independents.
Meaghan Mobbs, director of Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security, said: “This survey reveals an extraordinary gap between what Americans have been told and what Russia has actually done. Yet when voters learn the truth, their outrage is overwhelming and bipartisan. Americans understand that a regime that kidnaps children, uses rape as a weapon of war, targets civilians, and threatens U.S. interests cannot be met with weakness. A tough stance on Russia is not only consistent with America First. It is essential to it.”
Full poll results can be found here.
Only forty-six percent (46%) of voters are very or somewhat aware that Russia has forcibly taken and relocated hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, removing them from their families and homeland.
Only forty-two percent (42%) of voters are very or somewhat aware that Russia uses rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war against Ukrainian women and girls.
Yet once voters learn the facts, outrage is overwhelming.
Ninety-one percent (91%) of voters express outrage that Russia has forcibly taken and relocated hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, ninety-one percent (91%) are outraged by Russia’s use of rape as a weapon of war, and ninety-one percent (91%) are outraged by Russia’s attacks on civilians.
The poll also finds that voters overwhelmingly condemn Russian actions that directly threaten American security. Ninety-one (91%) of voters express outrage that Russian-linked hackers have conducted cyberattacks against American power grids, hospitals, water systems, and financial institutions.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of voters say that Russian-linked cyberattacks are a serious threat to the United States.
Information changes how voters view the threat posed by Russia. After voters were given descriptions of reported Russian conduct, the share of voters who view Russia as an “extremely” or “very” serious threat jumped 5.9 percentage points, from forty-seven percent (47.1%) to fifty-three percent (53%).
The results reveal a public that views Russia as a significant challenge to U.S. interests. While many Americans remain unaware of some of Russia’s most consequential actions, the survey demonstrates that awareness matters.
As voters learn more about Russia’s conduct, concern increases and support grows for policies that project strength and deter adversaries.
By the end of the survey, voters’ view of Russia as an enemy of the United States increased 4 percentage points from thirty-seven percent (37%) to forty-one percent (41%).
NATIONAL SECURITY BRIEFING
On June 10, 2026 Independent Women hosted a national security briefing: “America’s Adversaries: The Russia Reality.” The all-day event at the Historic Decatur House in Washington, D.C., examined the evolving threat Russia poses to the United States and the broader West and featured leading policymakers, military leaders, media personalities, and foreign policy experts.
Notable speakers included: Meaghan Mobbs, Director of the Center for American Safety and Security at Independent Women; General Keith Kellogg Ret., Former Special Envoy to Ukraine; Oleksandr Usyk, two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world; Hon. Stephen E. Biegun, Former Deputy Secretary of State; Pat Harrigan, North Carolina District 10 Representative; Marissa Streit, Chief Executive Officer of PragerU; Caitlin Doornbos, New York Post National Security expert; Nate Vance, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former volunteer combatant in Ukraine; Daniel Hoffman, former CIA station chief; Steven Moore, Ukraine Freedom Project founder; Daniella Cheslow, POLITICO National Security reporter; and Katie Pavlich, Host of Katie Pavlich Tonight on NewsNation, among others [full list of speakers].
“A serious America First foreign policy begins with a clear-eyed understanding of America’s adversaries,” said Meaghan Mobbs, Director of Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security.
General Kellogg closed out the summit stepping back from the individual threats discussed throughout the day—Russia, China, Iran, North Korea—and returned to the larger question beneath all of them: What kind of country does America intend to be?
“The world is safe when America is strong. When American power is credible, aggression is deterred. When American leadership is confident, allies are reassured. When America stands firm, our adversaries think twice,” said General Keith Kellogg.
“America seeks peace, but we understand that peace is preserved by strength. We do not seek conflict, but we know weakness invites it. We do not seek to dominate other nations, but we will not reward those who try to dominate their neighbors. That is the America First position,” Kellogg added.
“The real mark of power is not actually having to use force. It’s being so strong that your adversaries do not challenge you,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC).
“To recognize the threat that Vladimir Putin poses to the United States of America, its partners, and allies is not to be anti-Russian. Russia itself is far greater than its ruler,” said the Honorable Stephen E. Biegun.
Oleksandr Usyk, two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, detailed his family’s experience since Russia invaded Ukraine, his reliance on his faith, and his hope for his country of Ukraine: “I simply want to live without missiles flying over my head. I want my country to have the institutions, courts of law, and justice that you have here.”
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the briefing focused on one central question: how should America respond to an adversary determined to weaken Western strength, unity, and influence?
View “America’s Adversaries: The Russia Reality” media advisory here. [Video will be uploaded soon.]
View poll results here.
For media inquiries and booking requests, please email [email protected].
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