MOSCOW, June, 4, 2007. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) submits information concerning what Russians think about place of Russia in the world.

Russia has begun playing significant role in world politics, as 77% of respondents identify (and 16% disagree with that). 83% of those who approve Putin's job identify Russia's strengthening. And only 53% of disapproving respondents identify that.

However, only 38% of respondents in general believe that the latest economic success of Russia is connected with its population's hard work and not with high prices for oil. 47% do not agree with that. The opinions of Putin's job approving respondents about that statement differ (42% agree with it and 44% do not), and the opinions of respondents who disapprove Putin's job think that the country's success is caused by current oil situation (61% against 27%).

In the current circumstances on the world arena Russia should aim to integration with the West, as 60% of respondents think. 24% are against that course. At the same time, the increasing of influence of Russia on countries of Commonwealth of Independent States should be achieved, as 69% of respondents identify (against 16%).

The policy of integration with the West is highly supported among electorates of the ‘Unified Russia' and ‘Fair Russia' (66-67%). Electorates of Communist (KPRF) and Liberal Democratic (LDPR) parties support that idea less (53%), but still the idea of integration is leading one. The course to Commonwealth of Independent States is mostly supported by electorate of KPRF (79%) and ‘Fair Russia' (73%), and less by the supporters of the ‘Unified Russia' (71%) and LDPR (68%).

The idea of integration with the West is positively perceived by 62-65% of respondents under 45 years old and by 59% of respondents of 45-59 age and by 51% of those who are over 60. On the contrary, the idea of increasing influence on countries of Commonwealth of Independent States is less supported by youth of 18-24 age (by 64%) but it is supported by 69-70% of middle and senior aged respondents.

All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM, March, 24-25, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population centers of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.