or 2 bucks more they re willing to say. 16% say they will pay as much as it takes if it means supporting ukraine and hurting russia. that adds up to 63% who say they are willing to pay more in the context of ukraine and russia. 37% say they aren t. so there is some understanding on that part. the things we still need to see, this idea of gas tax hom days being advanced at the different state levels. haven t seen any polling yet on that, do people expect things to be done to offset the rise in gas. the other backdrop is inflation itself. it s not just gas that s getting more expensive right now. here s new polling out this week, 85%, universal consensus that inflation is becoming a serious problem in this country. here s the thing. folks expect it s probably going to get worse, the plurality, almost half of all voters say they think the inflation problem will get worse in the coming six months. so, the backdrop is it s not
president biden expected to speak in just about an hour and announce new economic punishments for russia. nbc news has confirmed he will call for an end to normal trade relations, a mnuchin allows the u.s. to put tariffs on any and all russian imports, which could include caviar, plywood and more. it comes with other companies who have pulled out of russia, including mcdonald s, when a country reaches a level of economic development with a middle class big enough to support a mcdonald s, it becomes a mcdonald s country. but what happens when you not only take away the big macs but the jobs along with it? joining me now, michael mcfaul, former u.s. ambassador to russia and an nbc news international affairsny. good to see you. so, you spoke yesterday with president zelenskyy and other top ukrainian officials. tell me what you can about that
for that. we are looking at $3.85 a gallon in missouri. but these prices are actually changing the way people are living their lives and certainly driving. we talked to people today who said they re going to take the less gas guzzling cars, fuel efficient cars if you will. some told me they ll take this trip and sit at home until this subsides. but they have patience and are putting it into perspective. we definitely have a lot less to complain about, you know, ourselves with those in europe. you know, but everybody likes to complain about something. but it s hard for us, but when you look at the bigger picture, you know, you kind of feel guilty about that. reporter: so, what is being done about all this? governors across the country are looking into suspending the gas
president biden and every country in the world has to be end this war by whatever means necessary. ambassador michael mcfaul, thanks for being with us and sharing what you could of your conversation with president zelenskyy. have a good weekend. we appreciate it. up next, gas prices soaring to an all-time record high this week. we re going to get reaction from drivers on the ground. are they changing their plans? are they changing trips? plus, steven kornacki is here to break down new polling on just how much americans are willing to pay. as a struggling actor, i need all the breaks that i can get. at liberty butchemel. cut. liberty mu. line? cut. liberty mutual customizes your car insurance so you only pay for what you need. cut. liberty m. am i allowed to riff? what if i come out of the water? liberty biberty. cut. we ll dub it. liberty mutual customizes your car insurance so you only pay for what you need. only pay for what you need. liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty.
as russian missiles tore through their neighborhoods. in romania, mothers try to comfort their small children, including one woman in kyiv with her 1-year-old daughter, margo. such little kids maybe don t understand this, but kyiv is about three, four years, they understand all the tragedy. i think it s very hard for them. my boy is very little. it is like adventure. but other children, i think it s big, big trauma and tragedy. in poland yooushgsen women and children continue crossing into the country at all hours. oksana is a mother of ix from odesa. after a long train ride, she describes how she and her children walked six hours to finally arrive at the polish border. she s hoping they can make it to germany to reunite with her