In March 2022, the Levada Center and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs research organization conducted a joint study of the public opinion of Russians and Americans about Russian-American relations and the most pressing topics on the international agenda. The study showed an increase in negative attitudes towards the United States among Russians, a decrease in willingness to cooperate – and at the same time increased fears associated with a possible conflict.

In March, the Levada Center published the results of a survey on attitudes towards some Western countries and associations, indicating a sharp drop in positive attitudes.

Attitude to the US

In addition to the personal attitude to the countries, respondents were asked about the respect in the world enjoyed by Russia, China, the USA, Germany and Ukraine. According to Russians, China occupies a leading position in this parameter: four out of five Russians believe that this country is respected in the world (81%). Two–thirds of respondents believe that Russia is respected in the world (66%); half of Russians (52%) thinks so about Germany. A third of respondents believe that the United States is respected in the world (34%), 18% believe that about Ukraine.

How do you think… is respected in the world as a whole? (in %)

	Very respected	Respected	Not respected	Completely disrespected	Can’t say
…China…	26	55	9	3	7
…Russia…	29	37	20	9	5
…Germany…	8	44	23	11	13
…the USA…	8	26	33	25	9
…Ukraine…	3	15	35	37	9

The attitude towards the leaders of the countries largely repeats the data of the answers to the previous question. Respondents relate best to V. Putin (87%). The leadership of the “allied” countries also enjoys the most benevolent attitude – A. Lukashenko (82%) and Xi Jinping (82%). Attitudes towards the leaders of Western countries are noticeably more negative – in this series, the leaders of France are treated better (E. Macron – 24%) and Germany (O. Scholz – 14%). Attitudes to J. Biden and V. Zelensky are extremely negative (6%).

How do you feel about… (in %)

	Positive	Negative	Can’t say
…V. Putin	87	10	4
…A. Lukashenko	82	10	8
…Xi Jinping	76	7	18
…E. Macron	24	53	23
…O. Scholz	14	59	27
J.Biden	6	83	11
…V. Zelensky	6	86	8

Comparing the above data with the results of a survey of Americans conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in March 2022, one can draw attention to the “mirror” opposite attitude towards the leaders of some countries. Americans are noticeably more likely to feel sympathy for V. Zelensky (81%) and US President Biden (52%), than to the leaders of China (Xi Jinping – 10%) and Russia (V. Putin – 4%).

Have a positive attitude towards … (in %)

	Russia, Mar. 22	USA, Mar. 22
…V. Putin	87	4
…Xi Jinping	76	10
J.Biden	6	52
…V. Zelensky	6	81

The deterioration of relations between Russia and the United States has affected the willingness of Russians to cooperate between the countries. The number of respondents who consider it necessary to seek cooperation with the United States has decreased to 30%.

What do you think: (in %)

	Feb.19	Mar.22
Russia should be open to cooperation with the United States	38	30
Russia should strive to limit the international influence and power of the United States	53	62
Can’t say	9	8

More often, the desire for cooperation is expressed by younger groups of respondents, respondents with a higher level of consumption and education.

What do you think: (in %, by age group)

	18-24 years old	25-39 years old	40-54 years old	55 years and older
Russia should be open to cooperation with the United States	38	33	30	27
Russia should strive to limit the international influence and power of the United States	56	60	62	65
Can’t say	6	8	8	8

The number of Russians who believe that Russia has been and remains a part of Europe has hardly changed compared to the results of a comparable study conducted in 2016 (64%, in 2016 – 68%). Age differentiation is noticeable in the responses of respondents: young people are less likely to agree with the statement that Russia is part of Europe. Older people, on the contrary, more often see Russia as a European country.

To what extent do you agree that Russia was and remains a part of Europe? (in %)

	Mar.16	Mar.22
Totally agree	29	33
Agree	39	31
Disagree	17	18
Totally disagree	8	13
can’t say	7	6

Respondents were offered a set of phenomena and processes and asked how dangerous they are for Russia. When comparing the results with the last wave of the survey, which took place in 2016, attention is drawn to the general increase in anxiety and an increase in the proportion of responses “very dangerous” for all the proposed options. At the same time, the greatest increase in fears is associated with foreign policy factors: the actions of the NATO alliance and the growth of the US military.

How dangerous, in your opinion, is … for Russia (in %)

	The growth of the US military	International terrorism	NATO	Climate change
	2017	2022	2016	2017	2022	2017	2022	2016	2017	2022
Very dangerous	35	58	72	70	80	24	56	34	33	42
Dangerous, but not too dangerous	47	24	23	21	11	50	23	42	40	32
There is no great danger	18	14	5	9	6	25	13	24	26	22
Can’t say	<1	4	<1	—	2	1	8	—	<1	4

Older respondents are more optimistic and more often expect changes for the better in terms of Russia’s global political influence (42%). Young people, on the contrary, are more skeptical: only 28% expect the strengthening of Russian influence.

The “forecast” of changes in the level of well-being does not depend on age, but there are noticeable differences between urban and rural populations. Residents of cities with a population of more than 100 thousand inhabitants are more likely to give pessimistic estimates: only 19% expect an improvement in well-being, and among residents of villages and small towns – 27%.

At the same time, only 13% of Russians believe that Russia should make concessions to lift sanctions. Young respondents under the age of 40 (18%) think this way a little more often. Older respondents, on the contrary, are less likely to accept concessions from Russia (only 9% in the age group 55 years and older).

Should Russia make any concessions to Western countries to lift sanctions?

	Total	18-24 years old	25-39 years old	40-54 years old	55 years and older
Yes	13	20	18	12	9
No	80	72	75	84	83
Can’t say	7	8	8	4	8

The ANO Levada Center is included in the registry of non-commercial organizations acting as foreign agents.