BNE: Russians say protests harm Ukraine – poll

Maidan Square file photo

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – February 20, 2014) Two-thirds of Russians (63%) believe that protest rallies are harmful for Ukraine’s development, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said. It polled 1,600 adults in 130 populated areas in 42 regions on February 1-2.

Negative implications were mostly mentioned by elder citizens (73%) and people with primary education (73%). Respondents forecasting harmful effects mostly fear destabilization and the disintegration of the country (24%).

Respondents also fear that the protest actions may develop into a rampage (18%), downgrade the economy (18%), and make the civilian population suffer (13%).

Only 6% said the ongoing events might be good for Ukraine. They hope the events will accelerate its national development (22%) and bring about change in the policy of the authorities (19%).

As to the future the Ukrainian protest movement may have, over half of Russians (56%) concluded that mass protests would end soon and the situation would go back to normal.

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