Russians feel negative consequences of Western sanctions; however they are not ready to make concessions in order to have the sanctions lifted.
MOSCOW, September 17, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey devoted to the impact of the Western sanctions on Russia.
A year after the first set of anti-Russian sanctions, almost half of Russians (47%) notice negative effects, which is a three-fold increase compared to August 2014 (15%). This position is supported by adherents of CPRF (55%), Russians aged 18-24 (52%) and those who have high level of education (52%). Twenty-one percent of Russians have noticed improvements in the situation; a further 22% do no see any considerable changes caused by Western-imposed sanctions.
At the same time, despite the consequences of Western sanctions, more than two-thirds of Russians (69%) think it is right to support the Donbass revels. They are opposed by 17% of respondents (27% among 18-24-year-olds, 28% among non-parliament electorate). Fifty-six percent of Russians do not think that Russia should abandon the idea to provide assistance to DNR and LBNR to help facilitate the lifting of sanctions imposed by Western countries. This point of view is mainly supported by men (63%), adherents of CPRF (63%), and respondents with high education (64%). For twenty-five percent of Russians it is acceptable.
Every second Russian would tolerate certain economic losses letting the Russian government pursue the current political course regarding Ukraine (51%). The share of those who do not want to tolerate difficulties is 37% (67% of those who disapprove of the presidential work; 53% of 18-24-year-olds; 45% of respondents with low income).
According to the Medialogia Company research, the topic of sanctions was mentioned 1.5 million times in Russian media, with its record high in August 2014. The most cited subjects were food sanctions, sanctions against Iran and sanctions against Russian politicians.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted September 5-6, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 settlements in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
Monitoring and analysis of the Russian media publications were carried out by the Medialogia Company using approximately 26600 sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, information agencies and online media. Research period: August, 2014 – August, 2015.
Russia`s incorporation of Crimea and Russian support of the Donbass rebels made Western countries impose sanctions against Russia. In your opinion, what effects have these sanctions had on Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| March 2014 * | August 2014 | February 2015 | September 2015 |
Sanctions have led to negative consequences and deteriorated the situation in the country | 25 | 15 | 52 | 47 |
Sanctions have led to positive consequences and improved the situation in the country | 13 | 15 | 17 | 21 |
Sanction have not changed anything; everything is the same | 50 | 62 | 22 | 22 |
Don`t know | 12 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
*In March 2014, the question was prognostic
Taking into account the consequences of western sanctions, should the Russian authorities have supported the Donbass rebels? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Rather yes | 69 | 54 | 62 | 63 | 76 | 77 |
Rather not | 17 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 11 | 10 |
Don`t know | 14 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Western politicians keep stating that sanctions against Russia may be strengthened. In your opinion, is there any possibility that Russia will have to abandon the idea to support the Donbass rebels to make western countries lift the sanctions? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | |||||||
| Total respondents | A Just Russia party | Supporters of LDPR | Supporters of CPRF | Supporters of United Russia party | Supporters of non-parliament parties | I would not take part in elections |
This may happen | 25 | 38 | 30 | 24 | 23 | 33 | 26 |
This cannot happen | 56 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 61 | 54 | 45 |
Don`t know | 19 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 29 |
In today`s economic situation, are you ready to tolerate certain economic difficulties in favor of the ongoing Russian political course regarding Ukraine? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||
| January 2015 | September 2015 |
Definitely yes | 20 | 23 |
Rather yes | 32 | 28 |
Rather not | 20 | 20 |
Definitely not | 14 | 17 |
Don`t know | 14 | 12 |
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! Full or partial reproduction of the Medialogia Company materials in other media must contain a reference to the Medialogia Company.