According to Russians, the consequences of the signing of the EU Association agreement will be negative for Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine, and their relations with Russia will worsen.
MOSCOW, August 28, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the awareness of Russians about the EU Association agreement that was signed by Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine; what impact it may have; and how Russians assess the Russia`s reaction.
Most of Russians (60%) heard that Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine signed the EU Association agreement (18% are well aware; 42% heard something). More than one-third of Russians (38%) have known about that from the survey.
Sixty-one percent of Russians failed to cite the possible consequences of this action. Those who cited them say that the consequences will be negative (12%). Six percent of respondents consider that the economic situation in these countries will deteriorate. Others say that from now on these states will be dependent on the EU and the USA. Only 2% see positive changes; others cite economic rise and increased living standards (1% per each group).
Two-thirds of Russians (65%) are confident that Russia`s relations with Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine will deteriorate. Only 3% of respondents expect positive impact. Every fifth (21%) believes that Russia will have the same relations with these countries as before.
Three-quarter of respondents (78%) approve of the decision of the Russian authorities to ban imports of Moldovan apples, Ukrainian vegetables, milk and some other products. Twelve percent of respondents do not support these measures; they are basically non-parliament parties` supporters (23%), and respondents who have high income (19%).
The measures taken by Russia are sufficient, according to 67% of Russians. Every tenth (13%) says that Russia should do something else in response to the signing of the EU Association agreement by the above-mentioned countries. On the contrary, 9% of respondents consider that retaliatory measures are excessive.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on August 16-17, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Moldavia, Ukraine and Georgia have signed the Association agreement with the EU. Do you know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time about that? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
I am well aware of that | 18 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 42 | 34 | 40 | 46 | 44 | 44 |
This is the first time that I hear about that | 38 | 52 | 41 | 35 | 32 | 35 |
Don`t know | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
In your opinion, what consequences may the signing of the EU Association agreement by Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine have? (open-ended question, not more than three answers) | |
| Total respondents |
Negative consequences | 12 |
Deteriorating economic situation, crisis | 6 |
Dependency on NATO, EU , USA | 5 |
Deterioration of relations with Russia and Customs Union | 5 |
Falling living standards, inflation | 3 |
Positive consequences | 2 |
Labor migration of residents to the EU | 1 |
Military conflicts | 1 |
Nothing will change | 1 |
Development and economic rise | 1 |
Industrial and agricultural crisis | 1 |
Disintegrating of country, countries | 1 |
Rising living standards | 1 |
Rapprochement with the EU/establishing free trade zone | 1 |
Other | 3 |
Don`t know | 61 |
In your opinion, will the relations between Russia and Moldavia, Georgia and Ukraine be better or worse after these countries have signed the EU Association Agreement? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education |
Relations be better | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Relations will be worse | 65 | 60 | 63 | 66 | 68 |
Nothing will change | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Don`t know | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
In response to the rapprochement of Moldavia, Ukraine and Georgia with the EU Russia imposed a ban on Moldovan apples, Ukrainian vegetables, milk and some other foods; Russia may also raise import duties on goods from Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. What is your attitude towards these measures? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Low income | Income below average | Average income | Income above average | High income |
Rather support | 78 | 85 | 76 | 85 | 76 | 68 |
Rather not support | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 19 |
Don`t know | 10 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 12 |
What is your attitudes toward Russia`s retaliatory measures to the rapprochement of Moldavia, Ukraine and Georgia with the EU? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
I think that the retaliatory measures were excessive | 9 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 |
I think that the retaliatory measures were adequate | 67 | 65 | 69 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 69 |
I think that the retaliatory measures were insufficient | 13 | 11 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Don`t know | 11 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
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!