March 1, 2021. The data below represent the results of a survey describing the Russian assessments of the Russia-EU relations.
More than half of Russians (55%) perceive positively the EU member-states. Twenty-seven percent of respondents have negative attitudes; 18% failed to provide an answer.
Despite positive perceptions of the EU countries, negative moods are dominant: rather chilly (40%) and hostile (13%). Every fourth Russian considers the current EU-Russia relations neutral (26%); 15%, positive (7%, friendly; 8% warm).
The majority of Russians believe that Russia should pursue partnership relationships with the EU (48%). Since 2008, the share of those who share this opinion has increased by 15 p.p. On the contrary, one-third of respondents (35%) are confident that the Western countries will never treat Russia as an equal partner, thus it is pointless to look toward the EU. This opinion keeps strengthening: since 2008, the percentage of those who share this stance has increased by 18 p.p. Every tenth respondent considers that Russia should pursue full EU membership (9%; −27 p.p. since 2008).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on February 24, 2021. 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.
The EU is an economic and political union between twenty–seven European countries. What is your general attitude to the EU member-states? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
Total respondents | |
Very good | 7 |
Mainly good | 48 |
Mainly bad | 20 |
Very bad | 7 |
Don’t know | 18 |
How would you assess the current EU-Russia relations? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
Total respondents | |
Friendly | 7 |
More likely warm | 8 |
More likely chilly | 40 |
Hostile | 13 |
Neutral | 26 |
Don’t know | 6 |
In your opinion, what kind of relationships should Russia pursue when building relationships with the EU? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2008 | 2020 | |
Russia should pursue full EU membership | 35 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 36 | 9 |
Russia should pursue equal partnership with the EU | 30 | 25 | 28 | 35 | 33 | 48 |
The Western countries will never treat Russia as an equal partner, thus it is pointless to look toward the EU | 16 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 35 |
Don’t know | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 8 |