Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Russians are not afraid of sanctions of Western countries yet.

MOSCOW, March 28, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning how Russians assess different sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia, as well as the current relations between Russia and the West.

Russians are not scared by sanctions of Western countries. Only economic sanctions can cause problems, according to 26% of Russians. However, half of respondents (57%) say that these sanctions are not so dramatic to abandon the initiative to incorporate Crimea in case sanctions are applied.

According to 23% of Russians, Russia should not incorporate Crimea if Ukraine joins NATO; 56% of respondents do not consider it as a solid reason to refuse the idea to incorporate Crimea. One-fifth (20%) is afraid that Russia will be excluded from the G8 and other international organizations. Most insignificant measures would be sanctions such as denied visas to Russians to enter the U.S.A. and European countries (74%), blocking of accounts of Russian citizens in Western countries (73%), recalling ambassadors of Western countries from Russia (67%), and cancellation of the G8 Summit in Sochi (67%).

The relationships between Russia and Western countries are deteriorating, according to every second respondent (49%); moreover, over the recent seven years the share of respondents who think so has tripled (from 17% in 2007). At the same time, 52% believe that the relationships between Russia and the West can only by tense and based on distrust. Only 9% report positive dynamics (versus 29% in 2007). One-third of respondents (36%) say that today Russia is communicating with the Western countries in the same way as before. Thirty-four percent of Russians hope that countries will come to friendly relationships.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on March 15-16, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement.  The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Due to the Crimea question, a number of Western countries can impose political and economic sanctions on Russia. In your opinion, will these sanctions have any substantial consequences? Should Russia abandon the idea to incorporate Crimea? Which sanctions will not be significant?

(close-ended question, one answer per each statement)

Economic sanctions

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate Crimea should not be abandoned

57

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate Crimea should be abandoned

26

Don`t know

17

Ukraine`s accession to WTO

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

56

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

23

Don`t know

20

Exclusion of Russia from the G8 and other international organizations

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

59

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

20

Don`t know

21

Association agreement between Ukraine and European Union

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

62

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

18

Don`t know

20

Cancellation of the G8 Summit in Sochi

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

67

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

15

Don`t know

18

Recalling Western ambassadors from Moscow

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

67

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

15

Don`t know

18

Blocking accounts of Russian citizens in Western  countries

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

73

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

14

Don`t know

13

Refusal to issue visas to Russians to enter the U.S. and Europe  

Consequences will be insignificant; due to these consequences the idea to incorporate  Crimea should not be abandoned

74

Consequences will be significant; the idea to incorporate  Crimea should be abandoned

13

Don`t know

13


In your opinion, are relationships between Russia and Western countries deteriorating or improving?

(close-ended question, one answer)

 

2007

2008*

2014

Rather  deteriorating

17

39

49

Rather improving

29

19

9

Staying the same

33

26

36

Don`t know

21

16

6

* in 2008 the question was asked after the developments in Abkhazia and South Ossetia


Which of the following statements do you most agree with?

(close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

60 and over

Relationships between Russia and Western countries can only be tense and be based on distrust

52

45

48

54

52

56

Relationships between Russia and Western countries can be friendly

34

39

38

30

33

30

Don`t know

14

16

14

16

14

14

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!

 

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Topics:
Ukraine