Illinois UCCA head: There is strong public backing for Ukraine amid ongoing war

Americans continue to support aid for Ukraine and hope for its victory in the war, according to Dr. Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Illinois Division. 

“Ukraine enjoys broad support. Despite waves of disinformation, Americans do not want Russia to win this war,” Dmytriv-Kapeniak said in an interview with Suspilne.

She said that this support is visible in political debates as well, with upcoming mid-term U.S. congressional elections in 2026 that are expected to be a test of the country’s long-term commitment to Ukraine. 

Thirty-five Senate seats and 435 voting seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs next year. 

“No matter how many social polls have been conducted, the results consistently show that Americans support Ukraine. There has never been any doubt,” she added.

During previous election campaigns, criticism often focused on U.S. spending on aid to Ukraine, particularly amid rising domestic prices and the cost of living.

However, now that it is clear U.S. budget funds are not being used directly to purchase weapons for Ukraine, and that European partners are covering many costs, opposition to aid has significantly decreased, Dmytriv-Kapeniak said.

“Support for Ukraine remains bipartisan. There are far-left and far-right voices with their own views, but they represent a very small minority,” she said.