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IN BRIEF

The share of respondents who see positive impacts of anti-Russian sanctions (economic development and import substitution) overweighs the number of those who notice negative impacts.

MOSCOW, June 20, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to anti-Russian sanctions.

Most of Russians keep an eye on sanctions: 57% have interest in sanction-related news. However, there is an imbalance in age groups: the younger the respondents, the more interested they are (an increase from 77% in the group of those aged 60 and over to 31% in the group of those aged 18-24).

The impact of sanctions on the Russian economy is assessed ambiguously: 34% of respondents report positive impact, 30% negative impact, and 20% do not see any consequences. The major benefits are economic development (50%), import substitution (20%). Increase of prices and taxes is regarded as a disadvantage 22%).

Respondents are more unanimous regarding the impact of anti-Russian sanctions on household well-being: 67% have not noticed any influence. However, the share of those who point to negative consequences is remarkable (24% across sample; 36% in the group of persons who assess their financial well-being as low).  

Most of Russians (73%) think Russia should follow the same independent foreign policy paying no attention to sanctions. Seventeen percent of Russians choose concessions to make the Western countries lift anti-Russian sanctions (34% among the 18-24-year-olds; 27% among those disapproving of the presidential work). High consensus of opinions can be explained by the fact that Russians consider that those who suffer from sanctions are countries who implement anti-Russian policies rather than Russia itself (78% vs 32%).

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 10-11, 2018, and involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey

 

Due to Russia’s position on Ukraine and Syria, certain Western countries have been imposing political and economic sanctions against Russia over the recent four years. Do you personally have interest in news related to sanctions?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

IV.2018

VI.2018

Likely yes

61

57

Likely no

37

41

Don’t know

2

2

 

Due to Russia’s position on Ukraine and Syria, certain Western countries have been imposing political and economic sanctions against Russia over the recent four years. Do you personally have interest in news related to sanctions?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) VI.2018

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

Likely yes

57

31

37

50

68

77

Likely no

41

68

61

47

31

20

Don’t know

2

1

2

3

1

3

 

Speaking in general, have the sanctions had any impact on the Russian economy? If yes, what kind of impact?*

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) VI.2018

 

Total respondents

Likely positive impact; significant impact

15

Likely positive impact; insignificant impact

19

Likely negative impact; insignificant impact

11

Likely negative impact; significant impact

19

No impact

20

Don’t know

16

 

What positive impacts on the Russian economy have the sanctions led to?

(open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of those who say that sanctions have had positive impact on the Russian economy) VI.2018

 

% of respondents

Economic development

50

Import substitution  

20

Revival throughout the whole country  

4

Development of military and industrial complex; increased military capabilities  

4

New jobs

2

Development of small and medium-sized business

2

Support for domestic manufacturers

2

New technologies/ innovations

2

National cohesion, patriotism

2

Other  

11

Don’t know

34

 

What negative impact have the sanctions had on the Russian economy?

 (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of those who say that sanctions have had negative impact on the Russian economy) VI.2018

 

% of respondents

Price/tax increase

22

Economic recession

9

Fewer foreign goods

7

Worsening relationship with the Western countries, Russia’s isolation  

5

Dollar exchange rate increase

5

Fall in people’s income

5

Deterioration in quality of life of ordinary citizens  

3

Rise in gasoline prices

3

Problems leaving Russia 

3

No access to technologies, backwardness in science

2

No export of Russian goods abroad

2

Other

10

Don’t know

50

 

In your opinion, have the sanctions had any impact on your/your relatives’ well-being?

 If yes, what kind of impact?* (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) VI.2018

 

Total respondents

Significant impact; positively

1

Insignificant impact; positively

1

Insignificant impact; negatively

12

Significant impact; negatively

12

No impact

67

Don’t know

7

 

Some experts consider that Russia should not pay attention to sanctions and should pursue tough foreign policy as before.  Others believe that the Russian government should seek the lifting of sanctions even if it requires certain concessions in foreign policy. Which opinion do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

IV.2018

VI.2018

Russia should not pay attention to sanctions; it should conduct tough foreign policy as before

67

73

Russia should seek the lifting of sanctions even if  it requires certain concessions in foreign policy

20

17

Don’t know

13

10

 

In your opinion, are the Western sanctions beneficial or harmful…?

closed-ended question, one answer per each line, % of total respondents) VI.2018

 

Rather harmful

Rather beneficial

Don’t know

To Russia

32

50

18

To those countries which introduced sanctions against Russia

78

7

15

 

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!

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