According to new Gallup poll polling, approval of Russia’s leadership “plunged” worldwide after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an inexcusable invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Most of the world now dislikes Russia’s leadership — a first in the history of Gallup following the grade of world leaders, which began in 2007. Putin has ruled over Russia all over that time, rising to power in 1999 and helping as either president or primary minister since; an accepted referendum allows him to stay in control until 2036.
A median of 57% covering the 137 countries seen by Gallup said they dislike Russia’s leadership, which is synonymous with Putin and the sultan and security officer who keep him in power. Just a year before, that number perched at 38% — showing how dislike of Russia’s leadership skyrocketed worldwide after the occupation of Ukraine. Majorities in 81 out of 137 states said they disapprove of Russia’s leadership.
The Kremlin has found itself ethically and economically isolated since Putin instructed the invasion of Ukraine, sparking Europe’s most significant military conflict since World War II.
The UN has condemned Russia over the war, and Moscow has faced widespread war crimes charges. The International Criminal Court also issued a permit for Putin’s arrest last month over the assertion of involvement in the illegal expulsion of Ukrainian children, cementing the Russian leader’s rank as a global pariah — though he’s unlikely ever to stand trial.
Meanwhile, the Russian economy has suffered unprecedented sanctions from the US and its allies. That said, as the EU moves to end its dependence on Russian energy in reply to the war, India and China have pursued purchasing Russian oil — providing Moscow with a confidant as the fighting in Ukraine rages on.
The war in Ukraine has manifested no signs of abating, and debates to end the bloodshed are seemingly unlikely to occur shortly. As the conflict continues, it’s feasible that Russia’s leadership could continue to face fattening levels of disapproval worldwide.
President Joe Biden’s chances of success in 2024 aren’t sunny in the Sunshine State, Democrats say.
The president had just officially declared his reelection bid, but even before his statement, Democratic insiders were gazing beyond Florida for his path to reelection.
The state is an electoral gem in organizational politics. Still, it’s costly to crusade there, and it’s home to both erstwhile President Donald Trump and potential applicant Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is influencing the GOP primary title.
“I don’t know how the abyss we win this,” a DC-based Democratic adviser told Insider when querying whether Democrats are giving up on Florida as a swing state. “I don’t, and I 100% don’t.” The consultant was reduced to being named to speak freely.
“It’s a lot of intensity in Florida for Trump. I mean, there’s even more power in Florida for DeSantis.”
Florida has flatter, more like ruby-red Texas in the last four to six years, another Democratic adviser in the state said, and it would be “tough” for Biden — who lost there in 2020 — to win it this cycle.
“It would be elegant to expend money in other places that are less expensive and more obtainable. I think Florida isn’t an overnight switch,” the Florida-based consultant said.
Florida has long been a desired prize in presidential elections, constituting 30 electoral votes in the 2024 cycle. Since 1932, every Democrat who won the state went on to become president — though some, like Biden in 2020, have won without it. Meanwhile, no Republican in the present-day the era has won the presidency without return Florida.
Despite the difficulty, down-ballot Democrats in Florida hope the national party will endure and be committed to the state.
They point out that Biden has travelled there several times as president, returning as new as February to discuss Social Security and Medicare. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Florida on Friday to describe federal dollars for climate pliability projects, and in January, she blistered DeSantis over the state’s abortion ban.
Other prominent Democrats who’ve befall the state include House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries; the deputy House Democratic Leader, Rep. James Clyburn; and the Democratic National Committee’s chair, Jaime Harrison.
“That was a significant signal to our national spouse in DC and across the country that Florida must be in play, mainly when we have a governor that might be administration for president,” Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa said of Harrison’s overtake during an April 4 press congress. “He believes that Florida is censorious to the strategy.”
