30 November 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey among Russians on the situation on the border of Poland and Belarus.
Two-thirds of Russians have heard of the situation on the border of Belarus and Poland (66%); 34% of respondents are unaware of the situation or fail to answer the question. Most of Russians view the situation in the following way: refugees try to enter Europe (14%); refugees are not allowed to enter Europe (12%); it’s a migration crisis (12%); it’s all about mess and outrage (10%).
Russians largely blame the European Union for the situation at the border (36%, 41-47% of older generations), 8% point out the Polish government; 15% blame Belarus (22-36% of young Russians); 12% blame the migrants themselves. Every fifth (22%) failed to answer the question.
When answering to the open-ended question as to what action Belarus should take regarding the migrants, 18% of Russians say they should be deported; 17% think they need assistance and humanitarian aid. The shares of those who say no obstacles should be put, more efforts are needed to reach an agreement with the EU or the border should be closed are 4% (each). However, 44% of respondents failed to answer the question.
Out of three options in the closed-ended question concerning how Belarus should deal with migrants, most of respondents opt for helping migrants to return home (44%); 27% think that Belarus should seek agreement with Poland on migrant border crossing to allow the migrants to enter the EU; 8% say Belarus should grant asylum in its territory.
Meanwhile, when asked about how Russia should respond in this situation, 32% of Russians think Russia should not intervene. Ten percent of respondents say Russia should support Belarus; and 10% say Russia should provide humanitarian aid. The percentages of those who say that Russia should help refugees return home and that the situation does not concern Russia are 7% (each). One-third of respondents (31%) remain undecided.
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted November 18, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you know, have you heard or do you hear for the first time about the situation on the Belarus-Poland border? If so, can you describe in two or three words what is happening there? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; responses that gained at least 3%) | |
| Total |
Refugees are trying to enter Europe, Germany / fleeing into Poland, want to rush into Poland | 14 |
Refugees are not allowed to enter Europe / Poland does not allow them | 12 |
Refugees / many refugees / migration crisis | 12 |
Mess / outrage / lawlessness / hideousness / complicated situation / nothing good | 10 |
People are suffering / I feel pity for the refugees / they are starving, freezing / being abused | 5 |
Water cannons being fired at migrants / smoke grenades / shooting by the Polish police | 5 |
Europe is to blame / Poland is to blame / EU’s provocation | 3 |
Lukashenko is to blame / he triggered the migration crisis / provocation / blackmail / retaliation for sanctions | 3 |
Belarus helps refugees | 3 |
Refugees are being sent home / Iraq are taking Iraqi refugees back / half of them flew home | 3 |
Other | 23 |
I do not know / I have not heard / I do not follow the news | 22 |
Don’t know | 12 |
There are several thousands of migrants on the Polish-Belarusian border trying to enter Poland from Belarus. In your opinion, who is to blame for the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
Belarus | 15 | 20 | 11 | 36 | 22 | 13 | 15 | 7 |
Poland | 8 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
EU in general | 36 | 37 | 35 | 10 | 22 | 36 | 41 | 47 |
Migrants | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 |
Russia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
Don’t know / I know almost nothing about that | 22 | 15 | 29 | 38 | 29 | 27 | 17 | 14 |
Based on what you have heard or know, what action should the Belarusian government take regarding the migrants remaining in Belarus at the border with Poland? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; responses that gained at least 3%) | |
| Total |
To deport them / to make them return home | 18 |
To help them / to provide humanitarian aid / to feed / medical assistance / to provide accommodation | 17 |
Not to put obstacles / to give freedom / to send where they want to go (either home or to Europe) | 4 |
To seek agreement with the EU / Europe / to solve the problem with Poland | 4 |
To close the border / not to allow enter Belarus / not to grant visa | 4 |
To grant asylum / to accommodate them temporarily / to let them stay in the Belarusian territory | 3 |
To send them to Poland / Europe | 3 |
Other | 15 |
Don’t know | 44 |
Now I am going to read out several statements about what action Belarus should take regarding the migrants at the border with Poland. Which statement are you more likely to agree with? Belarus should… | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and over |
…agree with Poland on migrant border crossing to allow the migrants to enter the EU | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 26 | 33 | 27 |
… help migrants to return home | 44 | 44 | 44 | 38 | 37 | 45 | 42 | 51 |
… provide them with a shelter in Belarus | 8 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
Other (specify) | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Don’t know | 15 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 19 | 11 | 9 |
In your opinion, what action should Russia take regarding the migrants at the Belarus-Poland border? | |
| Total |
Not to intervene /just to observe / to remain neutral / let them solve the problem on their own | 32 |
To support Belarus / to give advice / to help solve the problem | 10 |
Humanitarian aid | 10 |
To help send refugees home | 7 |
Should Russia do anything? / it doesn’t concern us / it’s a Belarusian problem | 7 |
To assist in the negotiations with the EU / Europe | 5 |
Other | 7 |
Don’t know | 31 |