Sympathies of Russians for West increased in a year – poll

MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) – Presently, Russians think better of the European Union than of the United States and believe it would be best for Russia to follow foreign policy objectives in Western Europe and CIS, a poll indicates.

During a poll in January, 64% of the respondents said they held a positive attitude to the EU, and 22% a negative. Last year the correlation was worse at 56:25%, Interfax was told at the Levada Center on Wednesday.

Now, 53% speak favorably of the United States compared to 44% in January 2012. Correspondingly, the share of those with a negative attitude to the United States declined from 40% to 34%.

The majority of respondents (55%) described the current state of relations between Moscow and Washington as generally negative – cold, tense or even hostile while 40% found them friendly, good and calm.

The poll indicated that positive feelings dominate in Moscow’s relations with the EU – 62% vs. 29%.

Asked by sociologists which countries Russia should have in mind in its foreign policy first of all, about half (48%) named West European countries, slightly fewer (46%) – CIS, about a third (30%) – India and China, every fifth (22%) – Japan and only 18% – the United States.

In the opinion of 35% of Levada Center respondents, developed countries of the world regard Russia as a friend and partner, 35% think they see it as a rival and 8% – as an enemy. In addition, 15% felt that developed countries do not pay any special attention to Russia.

The poll was conducted on January 18-21 among 1,596 adults in 130 cities, towns and rural communities in 45 constituent territories.