The share of Russians who now see more harm than benefits from Russian counter-sanctions has increased from 9% to 26%. Nevertheless, more than two-thirds of respondents think that counter-sanctions are necessary.
MOSCOW, March 24, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey describing public attitudes towards Russia’s ban on food imports from countries that imposed economic sanctions on Russia.
The levels of trust in Russian counter-sanction policies introduced in response to economic sanctions imposed by a number of countries are still high: almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) support these measures. However, from 2014 to 2017 there has been an increase in the share of those who disapprove of the ban on foreign agricultural and food imports (from 9% to 24%). Those who oppose them are mainly young respondents (53% among 18-24-year-olds), supporters of non-parliamentary parties (41%), and residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (32%).
A similar trend is observed in assessments of the consequences of the counter-sanctions for Russia: whereas in 2014 only 9% said that counter- sanctions brought more harm than benefits, today this share makes up 26%. At the same time, the VCIOM-Sputnik daily omnibus survey data suggest that most of Russians (67%) believe that Russian counter-sanctions have had more benefits for Russia (80% in 2014). Positive consequences are mentioned basically by respondents aged 35-44 (79%) who studied at the universities (75%).
The VCIOM-Sputnik initiative all-Russian survey was conducted on March 2-3, 2017, using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia, and involved 1200 respondents. Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. 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 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
In 2014-2015, household surveys were carried out.
Two and a half years ago Russian authorities banned foreign agricultural and food imports from countries that imposed sanctions against Russia. Do you personally approve or disapprove of these import restrictions? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| VIII.2014 | XI.2015 | III.2017 |
Rather approve | 84 | 73 | 72 |
Rather disapprove | 9 | 20 | 24 |
Don’t know | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Two and a half years ago Russian authorities banned foreign agricultural and food imports from countries that imposed sanctions against Russia. Do you personally approve or disapprove of these import restrictions? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||||||
| Total respondents, 2017 г. | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths inhabitants | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Rather approve | 72 | 43 | 69 | 82 | 79 | 72 | 65 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 75 | 73 |
Rather disapprove | 24 | 53 | 28 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 32 | 25 | 28 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Don’t know | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
In your opinion, has the ban on import of some agricultural and food products into Russia done more good or harm to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||
| VIII.2014* | XI.2015 | III.2017 |
Rather more good | 80 | 63 | 67 |
Rather more harm | 9 | 23 | 26 |
Don’t know | 11 | 14 | 7 |
* In 2014, the question was as follows: “In your opinion, will the ban on import of some agricultural and food products into Russia do more good or harm to Russia?”
In your opinion, has the ban on import of some agricultural and food products into Russia done more good or harm to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||||
| Total respondents, 2017 | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more | Those who assess their family well-being as good or very good | Those who assess their family well-being as average | Those who assess their family well-being as bad or very bad |
Rather more good | 67 | 52 | 70 | 79 | 71 | 58 | 71 | 68 | 62 |
Rather more harm | 26 | 45 | 26 | 15 | 22 | 30 | 24 | 24 | 34 |
Don’t know | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
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!