Russians regard Kazakhstan as the most reliable partner of Russia among the CIS countries (37%). The leader of the previous year Belarus is ranked second (23%). 

MOSCOW, December 13, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of the yearly study describing which countries Russians think are most reliable for Russia.

According to Russians, Kazakhstan is the most stable and successful country among the CIS states (34%, a year ago - 29%), followed by Belarus which was the leader a year ago (from 41 to 31%). The third place is held by Ukraine which has strengthened its position (from 5 to 19%). This is followed by Armenia (9%), Azerbaijan (6%), Moldavia and Turkmenistan (5% for each), Uzbekistan and Georgia (3% for each). Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was assessed as being least stable states (2% and 1% respectively).

Kazakhstan is regarded to be the most reliable partner of Russia among the CIS states (37%); the share of such respondents has increased over the recent year (from 31% in 2009). The previous leader Belarus is mentioned rarer (from 43 to 23%). On the contrary, Ukraine`s position has considerably strengthened having reached the third place (from 4% to 21%). The rest CIS counties are mentioned much rarer such as Armenia (6%), Moldavia (4%), Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan (3% for each), Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan (2% for each). And only 1% of Russians trust Georgia and Tajikistan.

The president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev holds the leading position among the leaders of the CIS countries (32%), followed by V. Yanukovich on the second place (17%) - his rating is much higher compared to the rating of the previous Ukrainian leader V.Yuschenko (3%). Vice versa, the Belarus leader A.Lukashenko was ranked lower (from 33 to 16%). They are followed by the president of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliev (5%), the president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan  (4%), the president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, the president of Kyrgyzstan Roza Otunbaeva, the president of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov - they are trusted by only 2% of Russians (for each). Least reliable leaders are the leader of Moldavia Mikhai Gimpu, the leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and the leader of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili - only 1% of Russians (per each) trust them.

Asked what CIS country ensures political, social, civil and other rights of the Russian-speaking population, Russians pointed out Belarus (27%), Kazakhstan (21%)and Ukraine (17%). Remarkably, compared to 2009, twice less Russians mentioned Belarus (47% in 2009), and much more Russians mentioned Ukraine (6% in 2009). Other countries of the CIS scored not more than 5%.

Asked if they are interested to know more about the history and culture of the CIS countries, most of respondents said they were attracted by the culture and history of Ukraine, Belarus (15% for each) and Kazakhstan (14%). Respondents are also interested in the cultural heritage of Armenia (12%) and Moldavia (10%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 23-24 October, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

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.