Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

MOSCOW, April 2, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the Russia-Belarus relationships.

Today respondents tend to view the relationship between Russia and Belarus through a positive or neutral lens: 30% of respondents call it normal and calm; 22%, friendly, and 15%, good-neighborly. Twenty-five percent of Russians think that the relationship became chilly or even tense.

Every second Russian (51%) believes that the Russian-Belarusian relationship has stayed the same over the recent year. Deterioration is mentioned by 22% of respondents; 14% point to improvements.

Forty-nine percent of Russians are aware of the Russian-Belarusian Union State. At the same time, many Russians do not show a keen interest in this union: 48% say that the two countries should not be united, and what Russia needs is strong good-neighborly relationships with Belarus. Uniting two states on equal footing or the incorporation of Belarus into the Russian Federation are supported by 18% and 17% of respondents, respectively.

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on January 15, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

How would you assess the current Russia-Belarus relationship?

  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Normal, calm

30

Friendly

22

Good, good-neighborly

15

Chilly

15

Tense

9

Hostile

1

Don’t know

8

In your opinion, in what direction has the Russian-Belarusian relationship been evolving over the recent year?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Relationships are improving 

14

Relationships are deteriorating

22

Relationships have stayed the same

51

Don’t know

13

Do you know/have you heard/do you hear for the first time about the Russian-Belarusian Union State? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

I am well aware

10

I heard something but do not know any details

39

I hear about it for the first time

51

What kind of union would you like the Russian-Belarusian Union State to be like?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Uniting two states into one state on equal footing  

18

Incorporation of Belarus into the Russian Federation as  a subject of the Russian Federation  

17

No union of states is needed; what is important for Russia is to maintain strong good-neighborly relationships with Belarus like with any other state

48

No answer 

9

Don’t know

8

 

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!

Read the article in Russian