Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

MOSCOW, 6 September 2023. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey on the opinions of the Russians towards Russia’s relations with the Eastern countries.

Middle East and Far East

In response to the current geopolitical situation Russia’s foreign policy has undergone changes. Shift to the East has become part of the Russian multipolar foreign policy, which translates into strengthening ties with Middle East, Far East, and Central Asia. Today Russia has close cooperation predominantly with China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Russians tend to have positive associations with these countries: 30% say cooperation with these countries is a right thing; it evokes joy and positive emotions; 14% mention friendship. Other positive associations with the countries of the East are as follows:  technologically and economically developed countries (4%), mutually beneficial cooperation and Russia’s development (3%, each). Certain associations are neutral, for instance, economy, import substitution, selling resources (7%), history and culture, “normal countries” (3%, each). Other opinions are negative: lack of trust, cautiousness, deceit, “they can cheat you” (11%), not beneficial to Russia (4%), negative perceptions (3%). 

Cultural identity

Sixty-five percent of the respondents consider Russia a Eurasian civilization, as it has a unique position between the East and the West. However, differences in culture are debatable. Two-thirds of the Russians think that these cultures have common and distinctive features at the same time (61%). Every fifth believes that these cultures differ significantly (23%); every tenth (11%) finds lots of similarities.

  • Differences in the cultures of Russia and the East are often mentioned by men (28% vs. 18% of women), Russians aged 35-44 (26%), persons with incomplete higher and higher education diplomas (25%), with poor financial situation (31% vs. 16% of those with good financial income), as well as Russian residents living closer to the East – in Siberian and Far-Eastern districts (26% and 32% respectively).
  • Cultures of Russia and the East have both similarities and differences, according to women (67% vs. 54% of men) and Russians aged 25-34 (70%).

Commerce, tourism, and science

Russia’s shift to the East is aimed at developing relations with the East, rather than with the Western countries, according to most of the respondents (67%). Eleven percent of the respondents do not support this foreign policy; a further 15% say they are indifferent. The older the Russians, the higher their level of support is (76% in the oldest cohort is the highest percentage); the younger the respondents, the more often they are indifferent to such a policy (34% of those aged 25; 22% of those aged 25-34 vs. 9% of those aged 60+).

The respondents have varying opinions as to how to make Russia’s shift to the East beneficial to the country (the question was answered by those who support, fail to answer or are indifferent to the “shift to the East”). First and foremost, they mentioned cooperation in trade and commerce, large investment programs, joint enterprises, two-way entry into new markets (65%). A third of the respondents considers that the focus should be on tourism (36%) and cooperation between scientific organizations, and academic exchange (32%). Every fifth respondent in this group pointed to military cooperation (21%); almost the same number of the respondents mentioned diplomatic, political cooperation and joint business and scientific events, such as Eastern Economic Forum (20%, each). Fewer respondents mention interpersonal communication between ordinary people (15%).

  • Women often point to interaction between politicians (24%) and scientific cooperation (35); men highlight the importance of military partnership (25%). This opinion is often popular with the under 25s (27%).
  • Respondents under 45 (27%) often stress the importance of conferences, events, symposia, such as Eastern Economic Forum (39-41%).

All-Russian telephone survey was conducted 27 August, 2023. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interviews, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-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.

Key effectiveness indicators, survey of 27 August, 2023:  cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.7824; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0159; response rate (RR)*** = 0.1138. Calculations are based on corporate standard https://profi.wciom.ru/principy_standarty/korporativnyj-standart-po-izmereniyu-rezultativnosti-oprosov-sputnik-vciom/

* CR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews and b) non-interviews with eligible respondents.

** MRR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews, b) interrupted interviews after successful screening and c) all the respondents where it is unknown whether they meet the selected criteria or not.

 ** RR is calculated in the same way as MRR, with the only difference that the number of respondents with unknown eligibility decreases proportional to the percentage of eligible cases in the total number of respondents with identified eligibility or non-eligibility.

In Russia there is much talk about Russia’s “shift to the East” that aims at comprehensive development of the relations with the Far East and Middle East, as well as Central Asia. Russia is developing the closest cooperation with China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. What associations do you have with these countries? Up to several answers are possible

(open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents, answers of at least 2% and over)

Positive associations

 

Positive / support/positive, joy/ right decision, it should be done long time ago

30

Friendship, they treat us well / development of relations / unification / cooperation

14

Developed, powerful states / technologies / strong economy

4

Beneficial to Russia / mutually beneficial cooperation

3

Development of Russia

3

Future /hope for the future/ hoping for the better

2

Prospects / opportunities for Russia

2

Neutral associations

 

Economy/ economic development/ selling resources/ import substitution/ commerce  

7

History/mentality/ culture/ rich and interesting culture

3

Normal / normal countries

3

Counteracting the Western countries / independence from the West / multipolar world

2

Negative associations

 

Cautiousness / you should be cautious / distrust / you should be independent / cunningness / cheating / they are looking for their own benefits / not reliable, temporary partners

11

Not beneficial to Russia/ we forgive debts/ we sell resources for next to nothing / a mere supplier of raw materials

4

Negative / I do not support it / negative perception

3

None

2

Other

6

Don’t know

24

Some people say that the Russian culture and the cultures of the Eastern countries differ a lot; while others say they have lots in common. Which viewpoint is closer to yours?  

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total

Men

Women

Ages 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

The Russian culture and the Eastern cultures differ a lot

23

28

18

20

22

26

24

20

The Russian culture and the Eastern cultures have many similarities

11

13

9

13

7

10

11

12

They have both similarities and differences

61

54

67

64

70

60

58

60

Don’t know

5

5

6

3

1

4

7

8

Russia’s shift to the East implies that Russia is prioritizing its relations with the Eastern countries, rather than the Western ones. What is your attitude towards this policy?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total

Men

Women

Ages 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

I support it

67

68

66

48

62

66

67

76

I do not support it

11

13

9

13

11

11

14

8

Indifferent

15

13

17

34

22

15

11

9

Don’t know

7

6

8

5

5

8

8

7

In your opinion, what can and/or must facilitate Russia’s “shift to the East” and can make the shift more successful for the country? Up to three answers

(closed-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who support, don’t know or have indifferent views)

 

Total

Men

Women

Ages 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Trade and economic cooperation, large investment programs, joint enterprises, two-way access to manufacturers and to new markets

65

62

67

54

68

70

68

60

Tourism and mutual visits of the residents of these countries

36

33

38

40

39

39

34

33

Interaction between scientific organizations, scientists, students  

32

29

35

41

40

39

28

24

Military cooperation

21

25

18

27

22

25

19

19

Political and diplomatic contacts 

20

16

24

14

22

23

21

19

Holding conferences, symposia, such as Eastern Economic Forum (EEF)

20

19

21

29

15

14

23

22

Interpersonal communication channels

15

13

16

16

17

13

15

14

Don’t know

10

12

10

11

9

9

9

13

Topics:
Economy