MOSCOW, 22 August 2025. The VCIOM Analytical Center presents the findings of a survey conducted among Russians and dedicated to the recent meeting between the Russian and American presidents in Alaska.
Historical meeting
The Russia-United States Summit that took place in Alaska on August 15 has become a historical event strengthening the importance of a direct dialogue between the two countries amidst rising international tensions. A vast majority of Russians are aware of the event (94%), including half of those who are well aware of the summit.
Overall, Russian perceptions of the outcomes of the talks are positive: seven in ten respondents gave favorable assessments, and only 6%, unfavorable assessments. It’s safe to say that Russians consider the summit as an important and successful event.
The main positive outcome of the talks for Russians is the very fact of the talks themselves and the fact that the presidents had a face-to-face meeting. Other important points mentioned by Russians are as follows: Vladimir Putin’s behavior and speech, his firm stance, mutual respect and the atmosphere of a conversation on equal terms. Some respondents think that the talks ignited hope for peace and settlement of the conflict as well as strengthening of the Russia’s global position.
What’s next?
Most of Russians view talks as a real step towards putting an end to the conflict: the talks themselves is a symbol of a potential move to settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This assessment reflects a high public demand for a diplomatic settlement and shows that Russians tie hopes specifically to political negotiations.
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All-Russian VCIOM-Sputnik telephone survey was conducted August 19, 2025. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interview, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data are weighted for socio-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.
Key effectiveness indicators, survey of August 19, 2025: cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.7157; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0135; response rate (RR)*** = 0.0767. Calculations are based on corporate standard:
* CR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews and b) non-interviews with eligible respondents.
** MRR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews, b) interrupted interviews after successful screening and c) all the respondents where it is unknown whether they meet the selected criteria or not.
** RR is calculated in the same way as MRR, with the only difference that the number of respondents with unknown eligibility decreases proportional to the percentage of eligible cases in the total number of respondents with identified eligibility or non-eligibility.
On August 15 talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to settle the Russia-Ukraine conflict took place in Alaska. Do you know, have you heard, or do you hear for the first time about that? (close-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
Total | Man | Woman | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
I am well aware | 54 | 59 | 49 | 39 | 50 | 48 | 58 | 61 |
I heard something but I don’t know any details | 40 | 36 | 44 | 58 | 43 | 46 | 36 | 34 |
This is the first time I hear about that | 6 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
How would you assess the outcomes of the negotiations for Russia: generally positive or generally negative? (those who are informed answered the question, recalculation from all the respondents, % of respondents) | ||||||||
Total | Man | Woman | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
Generally positive | 68 | 68 | 67 | 74 | 61 | 64 | 63 | 74 |
Generally negative | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Don’t know | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 15 |
No answer | 6 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
What did you like most about the negotiations, what made you happy? | |
Meeting / two presidents met / negotiations took place / constructive conversation | 18 |
V.V.Putin’s decent behavior / speech / president’s composure | 8 |
V.V.Putin was warmly welcomed / warm reception | 8 |
Russian president’s stance / we do not deviate from our goals and objectives / putting forward specific conditions | 7 |
Relationships between the two presidents/ mutual respect | 7 |
Friendly atmosphere / conversation on equal grounds | 6 |
Possibility to put an end to the war / peaceful negotiations / moving towards peace/ hope to put an end to combat operations | 5 |
Achieving agreements / outcomes / they came to a common agreement | 4 |
Desire to settle the conflict / desire to make a peaceful treaty / striving for peace | 3 |
Improving the relationship between the US and Russia | 3 |
America accepted our conditions / Russia was heard | 3 |
Both presidents are happy with the meeting / positive attitude | 2 |
Other | 4 |
I liked everything | 1 |
None | 8 |
Don’t know | 26 |
In your opinion, did the talks bring the settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict closer, or vice versa? Or did they have no impact on the situation? | ||||||||
Total | Man | Woman | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
Likely to bring the end of the conflict closer | 53 | 55 | 52 | 72 | 54 | 54 | 51 | 49 |
Likely to make the end of the conflict distant | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
No impact | 28 | 28 | 28 | 18 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 32 |
Don’t know | 11 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
No answer | 6 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Author: Tatyana Smak