Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

According to Russians, Petr Poroshenko is representing the interests of the United States and European Union as well as Ukrainian business community and oligarchs. Only 1% regards him as the president representing all Ukrainians.

MOSCOW, June 9, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information describing whether Russians followed the presidential campaign in Ukraine, and how they assess the new Ukrainian president Petr Poroshenko.

Ukrainian presidential election attracted many Russians. Sixty-three percent of Russians were interested in the campaign; 44% kept track of the campaign occasionally. Those who were interested are residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (89%), elderly respondents (73%), rather than residents of middle cities (54%), and 18-24-year-old Russians (47%). One-third of Russians (36%) expressed no interest in campaign. And only 1% of respondents have learnt about the campaign for the first time.

Russians do not trust Petr Poroshenko, 29% of Russians say. One-fifth of respondents (22%) reports to be indifferent toward new Ukrainian president. Others dislike him (19%) or even condemn him (17%). Every tenth respondent is frustrated with him (11%) or skeptical about him (10%). Seven percent of Russians feel hatred towards him. Only few Russians trust him (2%), hope for him (2%), or favor his personality (1%).

According to 43% of Russians, Petr Poroshenko is representing the interests of the U.S. and E.U. At the same time, 37% of respondents are confident that his is lobbying the interests of the business community. Every fifth Russian (21%) believes that he is close to nationalist and banderovets groups. Seventeen percent are convinced that Poroshenko is only interested in personal interests. Certain respondents think that he is representing special agencies (12%).  According to 6% of Russians, he is representing western and central regions of Ukraine. Only 2% say that he defends the position of Eastern and Southern Ukraine; only 1% says that he promotes the interests of all Ukrainians.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on May 31 – June 1, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement.  The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Did you follow the Ukrainian presidential campaign?

(close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total

Aged   18-24

Aged   25-34

Aged   35-44

Aged   45-59

Aged   60 and over

Yes, attentively

19

11

14

17

21

27

Yes, from time to time

44

36

46

46

44

46

No

36

51

39

35

34

26

This is the first time I hear about the Ukrainian presidential elections

1

1

1

1

<1

1

Don`t know

<1

1

1

<1

<1

<1

Petr Poroshenko was elected Ukrainian president. What do you feel towards him as politician?

 (closed-ended question, not more than two answers)

 

Total

Distrust

29

Indifference

22

Dislike

19

Condemnation

17

Disappointment

11

Skepsis

10

Hatred

7

Hope

2

Trust

2

Admiration

1

Liking

1

Respect

1

Don`t know

12

In your opinion, whose interests is Petr Poroshenko representing?

(close-ended question, not more than 3 answers)

 

Total

USA and EU

43

Business community, oligarchs

37

Nationalists, fascists, banderovets

21

Personal interests

17

Security officials, special services

12

Bandits, criminal groups 

11

Residents of western and central regions  of Ukraine

6

State, authorities, state officials

5

Russia

5

Retired persons

3

Budget workers

3

Residents of eastern and southern regions of Ukraine

2

Youth

2

Middle class

2

All Ukrainians

1

Other

1

Don`t know

14

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