Russians keep track of what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh and view the ceasefire in a positive way; however they make cautious forecasts about ultimate peaceful resolution.

MOSCOW, November 18, 2020.  Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey describing how well Russians are informed about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, how they perceive it, and what forecasts they make.

The share of Russians who, with varying degrees, keep track of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is 72%; 19% say they do it very closely (mainly older respondents aged 60+ (39%)). Twenty-six percent of respondents are not interested in the situation in the region at all; mainly young Russians aged 18-24 and 25-34 (44% and 51%, respectively).

According to the opinions of those who keep track of the situation, what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh right now can be described in the following way: the parties signed a peaceful agreement, stopped the military operations, announced ceasefire (32%), Russia sent peacekeeping troops (28%); it can be generally called a conflict, military activities between Armenia and Azerbaijan to gain territory (26%).

An overwhelming majority of Russians perceived positively the ceasefire (81%); most often they are respondents aged 45-59 (88%) and those aged 60 and older (94%). Fifteen percent of Russians are indifferent; they are predominantly respondents aged 25-34.

According to 41% of Russians, both parties benefited from the peaceful treaty. Every fifth Russian thinks that Azerbaijan has more benefits (20%); those who share this viewpoint are often men (25%) and metropolitan residents (30%).

Russia has played a key role in the conflict settlement and signing of the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement (64%; mainly respondents aged 60 and older (84%) and those aged 45-59 (77%)). Sixteen percent of respondents think that the Russia’s role was secondary; this opinion is often shared by young Russians (35% of the 18-24-year-olds; 28% of the 25-34-year-olds).

Thirty-nine percent of Russians consider that the situation will evolve in a peaceful manner and there will be no war; those who think so are largely Russians aged 60 and older (46%). One-third of respondents think that the war will be renewed but not soon (31%); 12% do not expect that any military activities will be continued in the near future.

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on November 13, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. 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 to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

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.