Russians think that the compromise that was reached during the gas negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is short-term and not very beneficial.
MOSCOW, November 25, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning how Russians assess the gas agreement between Russia and Ukraine; what party benefits more; what impact this agreement will have on Russian-Ukrainian relations.
Three-quarter of Russians (76%) are confident that the gas agreement (providing a gas discount to Ukraine if debt is partially paid off) that was signed by Russia and Ukraine a month ago is a temporary measure. Those who share this stance are respondents with high level of education (82%) and supporters of A Just Russia party (86%). Only 11% of respondents believe that the agreement is long term.
Thirty-nine percent of Russians believe that the party that will benefit from the agreement is Ukraine (39%). Only 14% believe that the agreement is more favorable to Russia. Twenty percent of Russians regard the Russian-Ukrainian gas agreement as mutually beneficial; nineteen percent are confident that neither party will benefit from it.
According to 60% of Russians, the current gas agreement will have no impact on Russia-Ukraine relations (this stance was shared by 47% of Russians in 2006 and 39% in 2009 when the agreement suggested the gas price increase). One-fifth of respondents (18%) believe that the relations will be tenser. Only 10% believe that new gas arrangements will have positive effects on Russia-Ukraine relations.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on November 15-16, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed on gas supply. Russia provides a gas discount for Ukraine for half a year; Ukraine will have to pay off its gas debt to Russia within several months. How would you asses the gas supply arrangements? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| 2006 * | 2009 * | 2014 |
The agreement is long term and suitable for both parties | 21 | 9 | 11 |
The agreement is temporary; the gas supply crisis will still intensify | 61 | 58 | 76 |
Don`t know | 18 | 33 | 13 |
* The question referred to the agreement that suggested the gas price increase for Ukraine
In your opinion, which party benefits from this agreement? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| 2006 * | 2009 * | 2014 |
Russia | 33 | 16 | 14 |
Ukraine | 18 | 13 | 39 |
It is a mutual agreement; both parties benefit | 18 | 13 | 20 |
No one benefit; both parties lost | 12 | 27 | 19 |
Don`t know | 19 | 31 | 8 |
What impact will the new Russian-Ukrainian gas treaty have on Russia-Ukraine relations? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||
| 2006 * | 2009 * | 2014 |
Relations will improve | 32 | 39 | 10 |
Relations will not change | 47 | 39 | 60 |
Relations will deteriorate | 9 | 5 | 18 |
Don`t know | 13 | 17 | 12 |
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!