According to Russians, Putin is pursuing a ceasefire in Ukraine.
MOSCOW, August 13, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the public attitudes about the following questions: how Putin`s statements affect the Ukrainian conflict; and what Russian president is trying to achieve.
Actions and statements of V. Putin related to the situation in Ukraine facilitate the peaceful settlement of the conflict, two-thirds of Russian say (63%). This stance is shared by the residents of million cities (75%), and CPRF supporters (75%). Only 9% believe that presidential statements may intensify the conflict. Simultaneously, every fifth Russian (18%) says that the Putin`s position does not have any impact on the situation in Ukraine. Those who think so are mainly residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg (30%), and respondents disapproving of the presidential decisions (30%).
Half of Russians (47%) believe that the main purpose of the Russian president is to achieve peace in Donbass and Ukraine in general. One-third of respondents (36%) consider that Putin is trying to prevent the NATO forces entering the Ukrainian territory; those who think so are mainly residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (47%), and LDPR supporters (43%). Others (33%) say that Russian president is defending the rights of the Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. Every fourth (29%) says the president is protecting Russian economic interests in Ukraine. Sixteen percent of respondents regard Putin as a mediator in negotiations; 13% say that he is impeding Ukraine entering the European Union; this share is twice as big as the share of those who have higher education diplomas (23% vs 13%). Only 10% believe that Putin is pursuing the incorporation of eastern Ukraine.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on July 26-27, 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%.
In your opinion, are Putin`s current statements and decisions leading to the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict or, vice versa, to the conflict escalation? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Rather to the peaceful settlement of the conflict | 63 | 37 | 75 | 51 | 69 | 65 | 66 |
Rather to the conflict escalation | 9 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 |
No effects | 18 | 30 | 10 | 29 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Don`t know | 11 | 18 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
In your opinion, what is Putin pursuing in Ukraine? (closed-ended question, any number of answers) | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education |
Peace and harmony in Donbass and Ukraine in general | 47 | 40 | 52 | 45 | 46 |
Preventing the NATO forces entering the Ukrainian territory | 36 | 31 | 34 | 36 | 40 |
Protecting the rights of the Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine against the Kiev authorities | 33 | 40 | 35 | 31 | 33 |
Defending Russian economic interests in Ukraine | 29 | 24 | 24 | 33 | 30 |
Being a meditator in the negotiations between the Kiev authorities and the residents of eastern Ukraine | 16 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 18 |
Preventing Ukraine from joining the European Union | 13 | 23 | 13 | 11 | 13 |
Incorporating eastern Ukraine | 10 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Eastern Ukraine conflict helps distract the Kiev authorities from Crimea | 9 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 7 |
Putin has no objectves in this conflict | 1 | <1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Other | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Don`t know | 6 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
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!