How Russians see themselves and Russia’s role in world – poll

(Interfax – January 12, 2016)

Two-thirds of people in Russia believe that Russia’s influence in the world has been growing in recent years and only 3 per cent hold the opposite view, while 22 per cent believe it hasn’t changed, according to a poll conducted by Russian polling organization Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) on 26-27 December, as reported by privately-owned Interfax news agency.

Asked to give examples of Russia’s growing influence, respondents replied that “Russia’s military might is growing and we are now feared” (12 per cent) and that “Russia’s position is now paid heed to and Russia’s position is respected” (8 per cent).

Also, respondents said, Russia conducts correct (7 per cent) and independent (5 per cent) foreign policy.

Russians “give credit to President Vladimir Putin” for Russia’s growing influence (9 per cent). They also believe that Russia’s growing influence is a result of “Russia helping Syria and fighting ISIL [Islamic State, ISIS, IS]” (7 per cent).!

Opinions are divided regarding how Russia is perceived in the world: 46 per cent believe the attitude to Russia in the world is good and 40 per cent that it is bad. At the same time, 46 per cent of respondents believe the attitude to Russia is the world is biased and 40 per cent believe it is objective.

Asked how the attitude to Russia had changed in recent years, a third of respondents (30 per cent) said it had been improving, another third (31 per cent) said it had remained the same and one in four (26 per cent) said the attitude had been getting worse.

On the whole, people in Russia believe that Russia is respected in the world (74 per cent), that Russia is feared (82 per cent) and that Russia is regarded as a prosperous country (76 per cent), developed country (64 per cent) and free country (61 per cent).

In the opinion of most people in Russia, they live in a free (77 per cent), developed and advanced (74 per cent) and prosperous (65 per cent) country.

The poll was conducted among 1,500 respondents in 104 population centres in 53 constituent parts of the Russian Federation.