Poll finds public disapproves of Obama’s handling of Russia

More of the public disapproves than approves of President Obama’s handling of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, a new Washington Post/ABC News poll finds.

{mosads}Forty-three percent disapprove of Obama’s handling of the crisis, compared to 42 percent who approve. The results follow a predictable partisan split, with approval at 70 percent among Democrats, 37 percent among independents, and just 17 percent among Republicans. 

The country is more united in its preferred response to the situation. Fifty-six percent support sanctions by the United States and Europe against Russia. Majorities of all three partisan groups agree, with 63 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of Republicans and 53 percent of independents.

Only 40 percent of respondents support sanctions by the U.S. if Europe does not go along, though.

Obama ordered sanctions on Thursday against certain individuals involved in the incursion. The administration has mentioned broader sanctions as a possibility but has not proposed enacting them yet.