In June, the assessments of the activities of the main state institutions did not change, the majority approve. The share of positive assessments of the situation in the country is also growing. The most positive sentiments are demonstrated by representatives of the oldest age group, more affluent citizens, Muscovites and TV viewers. The level of trust in V. Putin, M. Mishustin, A. Belousov is growing, Sergey Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu are decreasing.
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Attitude towards China, Brazil, Turkey, Iran, France, Ukraine, the USA, the EU and the UN
Most Russians have a positive attitude towards China. Positive attitudes also prevail towards Brazil, Turkey and Iran. The European Union, the United States, Ukraine and France are mostly viewed negatively. The attitude towards the UN is usual rather negative, and respondents also have a poor opinion about its influence. Respondents who are positive about the UN explain their position by saying that the organization stands for peace, resolves international issues and protects the interests of smaller countries. The negative opinion about the UN is caused by beliefs in its uselessness, aggression towards Russia, and bias in favor of the West.
Conflict with Ukraine: attention, support, attitude to various terms of a peace agreement in September 2024
In recent months, attention to the situation in Ukraine has been growing. The level of support for the actions of the Russian armed forces remains high. The share of supporters of the negotiations dropped in August, however their number increased in September. If the president had decided to end the military conflict today, the majority of Russians would have supported his decision, but only a third of the respondents would have returned the annexed territories. Half of the respondents believe that the special operation has caused more harm, justifying it with loss of life, military losses, and large expenditures on the Special Military Operation. Less than a third believes that the special operation has brought more benefits, meaning the return of territories, the protection of the Russian-speaking population of Donbass and the strengthening of Russia’s international position. Two thirds of the respondents believe that the special operation is successful, but this number has been decreasing throughout the year. Most Russians are against making concessions to Ukraine. The respondents call the exchange of prisoners of war and an immediate ceasefire the preferred terms of the peace treaty, the majority oppose the return of new territories and Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
Ratings of September 2024: opinions on the state of affairs in the country, the mood of respondents, approval of authorities, trust in politicians and political parties
After a slight decrease in positive opinions on the country’s affairs and the work of the main state institutions last month, attitudes towards them improved slightly. The top ten politicians who enjoy the trust of the respondents have not changed significantly.
Mass perceptions of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Russia and the United States
A comparative study by the Levada Center and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows that about half of both Russians and Americans surveyed do not express sympathy for either side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, however, support for the Israeli side is higher in the United States, and for the Palestinian side in Russia. Russians consider the actions of Hamas unjustified or find it difficult to formulate their attitude, while most Americans consider the actions of Hamas unjustified. At the same time, the majority of Russians consider Israel’s actions unjustified, whereas there is no unequivocal opinion on this issue in American society. About half of the respondents in both countries support the creation of an independent Palestinian state, although in the United States there is also a high proportion of respondents who oppose it. Respondents in Russia place the main responsibility for what is happening in the Middle East on the United States and to a lesser extent on Israel.
The conflict with Ukraine and the attack on the Kursk region: key indicators in August 2024
The general attention to the events of the Special Military Operation has not changed significantly since last month; about half of Russians are more or less closely following this. At the same time, almost all respondents are aware of the events in the Kursk region. In this regard, Russians are most concerned about the deaths of civilians and the very fact of an attack on Russian territory. Most of the respondents do not expect a second wave of mobilisation and do not see the need for it, but concern about this issue has grown. Support for the actions of the Russian Armed Forces still remains high. Over the past month, the number of supporters of peace talks has decreased, while supporters of continued military operations have grown. Over the past year, four out of ten respondents have collected things or money for the participants of the Special Military Operation, and a fifth of the respondents participated in providing assistance to affected residents of border regions.
Public sentiment and assessments of the state of affairs in the country: May 2024
In the last 25 years, Russians have most often said that their mood in recent days has been normal, even. Tension and irritation in society is gradually decreasing and is currently at the lowest level for the entire observation period, at the same time, in May 2024, the maximum indicators of the excellent mood of Russians (16%) were recorded. The majority of Russians believe that things in the country are going in the right direction, bearing in mind the “correctly pursued state policy (both foreign and domestic)”, “social development”, “struggle for peace”. Almost one in five respondents says that the country is moving along the wrong path, referring to “rising prices, small pensions, inflation,” “economic decline,” “irremovability of power, corruption.”
Mass ideas about the allies and opponents of the USSR in World War II and which country made the greatest contribution to the victory over Germany
Russians consider the USA, Great Britain and France to be the main allies of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War, while Germany, Japan and Italy are called the main opponents. The absolute majority of Russians — unlike the population of Western countries — believe that it was the Soviet Union that made the greatest contribution to the victory over Germany. Three quarters of the respondents say that the Soviet Union could have won the war without the help of the Allies
The conflict with Ukraine: key indicators, responsibility, reasons for concern, the threat of a clash with NATO and the use of nuclear weapons
About half of the respondents continue to follow the Ukrainian events quite closely. Support for the actions of the Russian armed forces also remains at a high level. For the first time in six months, the number of supporters of negotiations has increased significantly (up to 58%). Most of the respondents believe that Russia is more interested in negotiations. Two thirds of respondents still hold the United States and NATO responsible for what is happening, and their conviction has grown over the year. Half of the respondents allows the conflict to escalate into a direct clash between Russia and NATO. Russia’s military actions in Ukraine mainly cause Russians to be proud of Russia (48%) or alarm, fear and horror (33%), these feelings have prevailed among respondents since the beginning of the conflict. The majority of respondents are concerned about the shelling of Russian territories by Ukraine, the threat of the use of nuclear weapons and the supply of Western military equipment. One in three admits that Russia’s use of nuclear weapons during the conflict may be justified.
Mass perceptions about Western sanctions
Concerns about Western sanctions against Russia are gradually weakening. The blocking of Russian gold and foreign exchange reserves is more of a concern. The number of people who are confident that sanctions affect the majority of the population is gradually decreasing. The prevailing opinion is that the sanctions have not created serious problems for the respondents and their families. Those who still talk about problems note the departure of brands, rising prices, restrictions on travel abroad, blocking of payment systems, and the disappearance of a number of medicines. At the same time, almost two thirds of respondents believe that sanctions will strengthen our country and become an incentive for its development. The majority of respondents (73%) believe that Russia should “continue its policy despite the sanctions.”