# Trump Approval Hits Record Low Amid Sanctions Rift and Zelensky Clash

> President Donald Trump's approval ratings have fallen to a record low in October 2026, just weeks before the midterm elections, as he faces criticism for easing Russian sanctions and clashing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-19T23:02:35.437577Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/trump-approval-hits-record-low-amid-sanctions-rift-and-zelensky-clash-dae0ab44

President Donald Trump's approval ratings plummeted to a record low of 31% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll and 33% in a Washington Post-ABC poll in October 2026, just over two weeks before the November midterm elections, amidst controversy over his foreign policy decisions regarding Russia and Ukraine [1][2]. These figures, combined with a 12-point Democratic lead in generic congressional ballot surveys, indicate significant political challenges for Republicans as they approach the midterms [2].

## What the records show
Polling data released in October 2026 shows a significant decline in President Trump's public support. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated his approval rating stood at 31% [1]. Simultaneously, a Washington Post-ABC poll reported his approval rating at 33% [1]. These numbers emerged as the president campaigned for Republican candidates across the country [1]. The Reuters/Ipsos poll also revealed that Democrats hold a 12-point lead over Republicans in generic US congressional ballot surveys [2].

Concurrently, President Trump faced criticism for his foreign policy actions concerning Russia and Ukraine. He blocked numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were scheduled to take effect [3]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly accused Trump of pushing Ukraine toward surrender to Russia [4]. Zelensky stated, regarding the perception that Washington sought an end to the war at Ukraine's expense, "But that's how it looks" [4]. Reports also indicated that the U.S. had limited a key technology that Ukraine relies on [5].

## The timeline
In October 2026, just over two weeks before the November midterm elections, President Trump's approval ratings reached new lows [1]. Earlier, President Trump blocked a series of sanctions against Russia, preventing them from taking effect two days before their scheduled implementation [3]. On what was described as Monday, the clash between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky intensified, reaching "another fever pitch" [5].

## What changed and for whom
The record-low approval ratings signal a significant shift in public sentiment towards President Trump [1][2]. For the Republican Party, these numbers, coupled with a substantial Democratic lead in congressional ballot surveys, create considerable political headwinds for the upcoming midterm elections [2]. Russia benefited from President Trump's decision to block sanctions that were set to take effect, effectively easing pressure on Moscow [3]. For Ukraine, the situation escalated as President Zelensky expressed concern that Washington was pushing his nation toward surrender, and the U.S. reportedly limited a vital technology it provides [4][5].

## What the subject has said publicly
President Trump publicly defended his decision to suspend sanctions on Russia, stating that the move was intended "to keep peace negotiations going" [3]. He also publicly criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky [5]. Reports indicated that Trump placed more pressure on Zelensky than on Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the conflict [5].

## What we could not confirm
We could not confirm the specific details or nature of the "key technology" that the U.S. reportedly limited for Ukraine [5]. The precise status or specifics of the "peace negotiations" mentioned by President Trump as a reason for easing sanctions on Russia could also not be confirmed from the available records [3].

## Evidence cited
1. Trump slams Zelenskyy amid Russia sanctions rift and says ‘somebody else’ should negotiate for Ukraine - live (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/oct/19/donald-trump-kansas-roger-marshall-golf-ukraine-midterms-latest-news-updates
2. Trump approval hits record-low 31 percent, polls show Republican struggles (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/19/trump-approval-hits-record-low-31-percent-polls-show-republican-struggles
3. Trump says suspension of Russia sanctions is to keep peace negotiations going (www.bbc.co.uk) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9p8gz7zx4peo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
4. Trump Is Pushing Ukraine to Surrender to Russia, Zelensky Says (www.nytimes.com) — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/19/world/europe/trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-war.html
5. Trump escalates clash with Zelenskyy as Russia continues deadly attacks on Ukraine (www.pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-escalates-clash-with-zelenskyy-as-russia-continues-deadly-attacks-on-ukraine