Poll: Ukrainians have a better attitude towards Russia, and Russians towards Ukraine, on the contrary

Sociologists of the Levada Center and KIIS argue that "since the end of 2017, Ukrainian public opinion has a tendency to increase a positive attitude towards the neighboring state."

Visa regime supporters and his opponents in both countries are almost equally divided / UNIAN

This is evidenced by a sociological survey of the Levada Center in Russia and the Kiev International Institute of Sociology in Ukraine, which UNIAN has data.

“The dynamics of each other’s perception still indicate a more positive image of Russia among the people of Ukraine than a positive image of Ukraine among the people of Russia. Moreover, since the end of 2017, the Ukrainian public opinion has a tendency to increase the positive attitude towards the neighboring state. In turn, the negative attitude of the people of Russia towards Ukraine is more stable, and fluctuations in attitude towards the neighbor during this period are random and statistically insignificant, ”the joint release says.

To the question asked in Russia, “How do you generally feel about Ukraine now?” 55% answered that “mostly bad” and “very bad” (in July there were 49%). At the same time, Ukraine is treated “very well” and “mostly good” by 33% of respondents in the Russian Federation (in July there were 37%). Difficult to answer 12% (in July, 15%).

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At the same time, the question asked in Ukraine is “How do you generally feel about Russia now?” 48% answered that “very good” or “mostly good” (45% in July), 32% - “mostly bad And very bad (38% in July). 19% of respondents found it difficult to answer (18% in July).

As sociologists note, if we look at the data demonstrating the desired type of relations with a neighboring country, then we can see that the supporters of the visa regime and its opponents in both countries are almost equal.

Also, sociologists note that until 2014, the share of Russians who advocate for tight borders exceeded a similar share among residents of Ukraine who supported the visa regime with the Russian Federation. But after the opposite situation is noted, when the number of supporters of the visa regime between the countries is higher among the population of Ukraine than Russia. In September 2018, compared with March, the share of visa supporters decreased in both countries: in the Russian Federation due to an increase in the proportion of Russians who find it difficult to answer, in Ukraine - due to those who favor open borders and visa-free relations, but it is impossible to say as far as these fluctuations indicate fundamental changes in the perception of each other, and it is necessary to monitor further dynamics, experts emphasize.

So, 32% of the polled Russians consider that “relations of Russia with Ukraine should be the same as with other states - with closed borders, visas, customs” (in March there were 39%). 45% of respondents in the Russian Federation indicated that “Russia and Ukraine should be independent, but friendly states - with open borders, without visas and customs” (in March there were also 45%). At the same time, 16% of Russians believe that “Russia and Ukraine should unite into one state” (in March there were 10% of such people). Difficult to answer 6% (in March, 5%).

In turn, 39% of Ukrainians believe that relations should be with closed borders, visas, customs (in February there were 44%), 50% - relations should be with open borders, without visas and customs (in February 44%). 4% of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine and the Russian Federation should unite into one state (in February, 3%). Difficult to answer 8% (in February, 9%).

The Levada Center survey was conducted in the Russian Federation on September 20-26 using a representative all-Russian sample of urban and rural population of 1,600 people aged 18 years and older in 136 localities, 52 regions of the Russian Federation.

KIIS conducted a survey of residents of Ukraine on September 8-23 for a sample of 2 thousand 26 people, representative of the population over 18 years of age.

As reported by UNIAN, more than half of Ukrainians are ready to defend the territorial integrity Ukraine with weapons in their hands.

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