At a wood-panelled diner down the road from one of the US Air Force’s largest bases, retired police officer Jeremy Snyder said he was initially “all for” US military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. But the war had dragged on, he said, and the domestic economic situation was tough.
“I’m over it,” said Snyder, 52, over a bowl of vegetable soup at the Fairborn Family Diner and Restaurant. “Ukraine keeps asking for more money when we need more money at home.”
Republican voters like Snyder could affect the level of continued US assistance to Ukraine. The country is the largest contributor to Ukraine overall, having given $78.4bn, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. This aid has been a significant contributor to Kyiv’s success, but it depends on continued backing from Congress. Across the country and in this pocket of Ohio, support for American military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine is fading.