Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Despite a long pause in Russia-Ukraine relations, Russians are still confident that the bilateral relations need to be improved. 

MOSCOW, July 19, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to Russian opinions about Russia-Ukraine relations.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (85%) think it is important to have friendly relations with Ukraine. They are opposed by 11% of respondents.  

Most of Russians (61%) say that over the recent year the bilateral relations have been stagnating, not improving and not getting worse. However, 25% say that the situation is getting more and more tense between the two countries.

More than one-third of Russians consider that both parties are equally responsible for the current state of the bilateral relations (39%). They are opposed by 44% who blame one of the parties.  

Almost every second Russian (42%) is confident that the Russian-Ukrainian relations will bring back to normal but they will never be fraternal or allied. At the same time, every fourth Russian (24%) believes that friendly and good-neighborly relations will be restored.

In addition, the majority (78%) agree that it is important for Russia and Ukraine to enhance bilateral relations. Remarkably, 13% of Russians pay no attention to this issue.

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 20, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and 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.

 

In your onion, in what direction has the Russia-Ukraine relations evolved over the recent year?

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

Relations have been steadily normalizing

8

Relations are getting neither better  nor worse; nothing is changing  

61

Relations are getting more tense, deteriorating quickly

25

Don’t know

6

In your opinion, who is to be blamed for the current state of the Ukrainian-Russian relations?

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

Ukraine

44

Russia

6

Both countries equally

39

Other  (specify)

4

Don’t know

7

In your opinion, is it important for Russia to keep friendly relations with Ukraine?

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

Very important

35

Rather important

50

Rather not important

7

Not important at all

4

Don’t know

4

What prospects do the Russian-Ukrainian relations have in general?

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

Relations  will keep deteriorating

6

Relations will get back to normal  but relations will never be fraternal or allied

42

Friendly, good-neighborly relations will be restored

24

Relations will be fraternal and allied

18

Other  (specify)

2

Don’t know

8

Do you agree or disagree with the statement “Russia needs to enhance relations with Ukraine?”  

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

Generally agree

78

Somewhat agree

4

Indifferent

13

Don’t know

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.

Read the article in Russian