Russians say people have right to self-determination but breakup of states undesirable – poll

Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) – Russians have mixed feelings about the wish of some territories to separate from their mother states: 42% support this trend, 30% have a negative opinion and 28% are undecided, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said.

Muscovites and St. Petersburg residents exhibit the highest degree of understanding towards the wish to break away (53% vs. 39% of villagers), the center said, quoting the outcomes of a poll of 1,600 citizens in 130 populated localities in 42 regions.

Almost half of respondents (45%) opposed the breakup of states. Senior citizens (48% in the over 60s category) and villagers (52%) are more inclined to support this opinion than the younger generation (38% of respondents aged from 18 to 24) and Muscovites and St. Petersburg residents (38%).

Twenty-seven percent say there are certain advantages in the appearance of small states, and 28% were unable to answer the question.

In the opinion of 71% of Russians, people may declare their independence at a referendum (the indicator stood at 82% in Moscow and St. Petersburg and 80% amongst well-to-do respondents). Only 9% said it was possible to ban voting results, and 20% were undecided.

There is no unanimity as to how the international community should respond to the separation of a part of a country if the country’s government refuses to recognize it.

A third of respondents (34%) referred to the right of nations to self-determination, another third (37%) suggested an individual approach to each case, and 14% insisted that other countries should support the territorial integrity of a sovereign country and prevent separatism.

 

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