MOSCOW, 4 April 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study on the attitudes of Russians towards the NATO political and military alliance.
Almost 60% of Russians (59%) have a negative view of NATO; every fifth remains indifferent (23%); 2% express favorable views.
Most of Russians consider that NATO is a military alliance pursuing aggressive actions against Russia and its allies (62%). A minority believe that NATO is a military alliance aiming to protect its member states (15%).
Forty-six percent of Russians consider that the NATO’s goal is the same as it was in 1949, when NATO was created, - military and political deterrent of Russia; 32% think that the main goal has changed.
Most of Russians have heard of the NATO’s military operations in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq (81%); 5% have not heard about it. Seventy-three percent of Russians are aware that there were facts of military crimes against humanity during the military operations; 8% have not heard about that.
Russian nationwide telephone survey was conducted on April 2, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in each survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. 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.
Do you know, have your heard or do you hear for the first time about the NATO political and military alliance? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
I know, I’ve heard about it | 86 |
This is the first time I hear about it | 14 |
How do you generally view NATO: likely favorably, likely unfavorably or likely indifferently? (closed-ended question, one answer; questions were answered by those who are aware of NATO; data calculated in % of total respondents) | |
Likely favorably | 2 |
Likely unfavorably | 59 |
Likely indifferently | 23 |
Those who did not answer the question/ Don’t know | 16 |
In your opinion, which statement best describes NATO and its policy? (closed-ended question, one answer, question was answered by those who are aware of NATO; data calculated in % of total respondents) | |
NATO is a political and military alliance aimed to protect its member states | 15 |
NATO is a military organization pursuing aggressive actions against Russia and its allies | 62 |
Other | 4 |
Those who did not answer the question / Don’t know | 20 |
The NATO alliance was created in nineteen forty-nine. The NATO’s goal was military and political deterrence of our country. In your opinion, is the NATO’s goal the same, or has it changed? (closed-ended question, one answer, question was answered by those who are aware of NATO; data calculated in % of total respondents) | |
The goal is the same | 46 |
The goal has changed | 32 |
Those who did not answer the question / Don’t know | 22 |
Do you know, have you heard that NATO has been conducting military operations in a number of countries in recent years (Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq)? (closed-ended question, one answer, question was answered by those who are aware of NATO; data calculated in % of total respondents) | |
I’ve heard about that | 81 |
I haven’t heard about that | 5 |
Those who did not answer the question | 14 |
Do you know, have you heard that during the NATO military operations there were facts of crimes against humanity? (closed-ended question, one answer, question was answered by those who are aware of NATO; data calculated in % of total respondents) | |
I’ve heard about that | 73 |
I haven’t heard about that | 8 |
Those who did not answer the question / Don’t know | 19 |