Russians are still indifferent towards the situation in Donbass and support local residents, according to the Sputnik survey data.
MOSCOW, July 21, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the Russian attitudes towards the conflict between the Kiev authorities, DPR and LPR.
Regarding the conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk Peopl’s Republics, Russians’ position has not changed over the recent half a year: about half of Russians think that assistance in one form or another should be provided: 9% say the autonomy should be extended; 25% - that the republics should be recognized as independent; 17% would incorporate them into Russia’s territory. Only 3% support Kiev’s authorities. More than a third (35%) support neutrality.
In conditions of constant violations of Minsk agreements by Ukraine, some respondents propose neutrality, others – diplomatic methods, and still others – active pressure on Kiev or support for Donbass.
Prospects for the improvement of relations between Russia, Ukraine and the Western countries do not have any impact on Russians’ position to provide assistance to Donbass insurgents: over half of respondents (61%) are confident that assistance should be further provided. Humanitarian aid sent by Russia to Donbass is supported by 81% of Russians.
Eighty percent of respondents believe that Russia’s interest is to conduct peace talks and to freeze the conflict though at the expense of concessions and financial loss (the comparison with the 2015 survey data shows that Russian opinions have strengthened). Only 9% support “absolute war” to get a quick resolution to a conflict.
The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on July 5-7, 2017. The survey involved 1,800 Russians aged 18 and over, 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Results for the 2014-2016 studies are based on household surveys.
In your opinion, what stance should Russia take regarding the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||
| IV.2014* | VII.2014 | X.2014 | I.2015 | IX.2015 | VIII.2016 | II.2017 | VII.2017 |
To help Kiev authorities restore control over DPR and LPR territories | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
To help DPR and LPR extend autonomy being part of Ukraine | 12 | 15 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
To recognize DPR and LPR as independent states | 13 | 27 | 23 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
To incorporate DPR and LPR into Russian territory | 18 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 |
Not to intervene; keep neutrality | 45 | 36 | 43 | 28 | 31 | 38 | 36 | 35 |
Don' t know | 8 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 |
*In April 2014, the question was as follows: «In April 2014m the question was as follows: “Certain Donbass residents declared “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Kharkov Republic”. In your opinion, what position should Russia take with regard to that?”
More than two years ago in Minsk, the representatives of the Kiev authorities and Donbass people’s republics came to the conclusion to cease fire, to withdraw heavy weapons, to exchange prisoners, et cet. Today many politicians and public figures say that this agreement is not observed. What should Russia do in this situation? (open-ended question, any number of answers, %) | ||
| II.2017 | VII.2017 |
Do nothing | ||
Do nothing | 17 | 19 |
To await further developments | 2 | 0 |
Use diplomatic means | ||
To negotiate | 10 | 7 |
To attract other countries to solve the issue | 2 | 3 |
To come to a peaceful resolution, to settle the conflict peacefully | 0 | 2 |
To provide help as an observer, a mediator | 1 | 1 |
To observe the Minsk agreements against all odds | 0 | 1 |
To attract the attention of the international community, to cover the story worldwide | 3 | 0 |
Put pressure on Kiev | ||
To achieve implementation of the Minsk agreements | 8 | 7 |
To take extreme measures, to put pressure on the Ukrainian government | 1 | 4 |
To send peace-keeping troops to Ukraine | 3 | 2 |
To intervene in the conflict | 1 | 1 |
To impose sanctions against Ukraine | 1 | 1 |
To destroy Kiev authorities | 1 | 1 |
To punish the guilty | 1 | 0 |
Support Donbass | ||
To provide support for Donbass (means not specified) | 6 | 8 |
To provide material support including humanitarian assistance | 2 | 2 |
To incorporate DPR and LPR into Russia’s territory | 1 | 1 |
To recognize DPR and LPR independence | 1 | 1 |
To provide technical assistance and weaponry to Donbass | 1 | 1 |
Other | ||
Do the same thing that was done before | 1 | 2 |
Other | 4 | 5 |
Don’t know | 39 | 39 |
In your opinion, should Russia stop providing support for the Donbass insurgents in order to improve relations with Ukraine and the West, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| IX.2015 | II.2017 | VII.2017 |
Russia should stop providing support for the Donbass insurgents to improve relations with Ukraine and Western countries | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Russia should not stop providing support for the Donbass insurgents to improve relations with Ukraine and Western countries | 58 | 59 | 61 |
Russia should not seek to improve relations with Ukraine | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Don’t know | 16 | 14 | 16 |
Russia is sending humanitarian convoys with food, medicine, water to Donbass spending money from its budget. In your opinion, should Russia provide further humanitarian assistance to Donbass or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| IX.2014 | I.2015 | IX.2015 | VIII.2016 | II.2017 | VII.2017 |
Russia should do that | 78 | 75 | 73 | 64 | 82 | 81 |
Russia should not do that | 15 | 15 | 19 | 27 | 14 | 15 |
Don’t know | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
Which of the following approaches most meets Russia’s interest? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| I.2015 | IX.2015 | II.2017 | VII.2017 |
Absolute war even at the expense of casualties but which gives hope for a quick resolution | 17 | 10 | 7 | 9 |
Peace talks, conflict freeze which requires both Russia’s concessions and money to support People’s republics | 65 | 74 | 82 | 80 |
Don’t know | 18 | 16 | 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!