Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Respondents support Russia’s response to expulsion of diplomats. However it is hard to predict what the reciprocal actions lead to.

MOSCOW, April 13, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to the diplomatic conflict between Russia and the Western counties against the backdrop of Skripal case.

Mutual expulsion of diplomats drew wide response in the Russian society: 88% of Russians heard of Russia’s retaliatory step, and 89% perceive the measures as adequate to the situation.

Most of Russians (87%) consider that the conflict was overblown by the Western countries in order to weaken Russia’s global position. Just 3% of respondents believe that Russian diplomats were declared persona non grata because of Skripal case.

It is unclear what the bilateral measures may lead to – Russians are divided in their opinions: 29% say that the Russia-West relations will deteriorate, 33% will not change, and 20% expect positive effects.

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 6-7, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Great Britain has recently expelled Russian diplomats. The authorities declared that this was related to Russia’s involvement in Skripal’s poisoning. Later a number of countries expelled Russian diplomats to support Britain. In response to that Russia expelled the diplomats of several countries. Do you know, have you heard, do you hear for the first time that Russia retaliated and expelled foreign diplomats?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

I am well aware

53

15

34

50

62

72

I heard something but I do not know any details

35

46

44

39

31

25

I’ve heard about that for the first time

12

39

22

10

6

3

Don’t know

0

0

0

1

1

0

 

In your opinion, what made Western countries expel Russian diplomats? Some people point to Skripal’s poisoning and Russia’s involvement in that case. Others say that the Western countries are eager to weaken Russia’s global position, and the Skripal’s case is nothing but a formal pretext. (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

The main reason of expulsion of Russian diplomats is Skripal’s poisoning and Russia’s involvement in this case  

3

The main reason of expulsion of Russian diplomats is the desire of Western countries to weaken Russia’s global position; Skripal’s case is just a formal pretext

87

Don’t know

10

 

In your opinion, were Russia’s retaliatory measures adequate to the situation?

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

 

Total respondents

Likely adequate

89

Likely not adequate

4

Don’t know

7

 

In your opinion, how will the relations between Russian and the West be affected by reciprocal expulsion of diplomats? If yes, will the effects be positive or negative?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of all respondents)

 

Total respondents

There will be no effect

33

It will cause positive effects

20

It will cause negative effects

29

Don’t know

18

 

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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