External military threat to Russia is decreasing, Russians say.

MOSCOW, October 28, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing Russian opinions about Russia’s relationships with different countries.

China holds the first position in the list of countries Russia has strong friendly relationships with (45%; 50% in 2018). The top three countries also involve Belarus (30%; 2015 in 2018) and Kazakhstan (21%; 15% in 2018). The share of those who consider that Russia has friendly relationship with Syria has decreased by 5 p.p. over a year (13%). Compared to 2018, the share of those who think that Russia has friendly relationship with France has increased by 7 p.p. (10%); with Germany, by 4 p.p. (9%).

Russians still believe that the Russia-U.S. relationships are the tensest (67%), however this percentage has decreased by 8 p.p. over a year. On the contrary, the number of those who consider that bilateral relationships with Ukraine are tenser has increased (53% in 2019 and 39% in 2018). According to the survey results, Great Britain is the least friendly among the top three most unfriendly states (25%, 33% in 2018).

The share of Russians who think that there is a military threat to Russia has declined and reached 31% (down 12 p.p.) compared to the December 2018 figure. The highest levels of threat reported by Russians were recorded in April 2018 (50%), which might have been shaped by the introduction of new anti-Russia sanctions and a conflict with Great Britain (Skripal case). The number of those who say that nothing poses a military threat to Russia has increased from 53% in 2018  to 61% this year; those who share this stance are mainly young Russians aged 18-24 (75%) and 25-34 (62%). 

The U.S. is perceived as a key potential source of military threat to Russia; the share of those who think so has significantly decreased compared to the January measurement (53%; 65% in January 2019). The top three countries which pose a threat includes Ukraine (26%; down 19 p.p. compared to January 2019) and China (7%; down 7 p.p.).

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 22, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

*in 2014 the nationwide household survey with a margin of error of 3.5%  was carried out.

* In 2014 the nationwide household survey with a margin of error of 3.5% was carried out.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.