Russians positive national policy should not change despite sanctions - poll
MOSCOW. June 15 (Interfax) - Same as before, most Russians are positive that the national policy should not change despite the Western sanctions, Levada Analytical Center told Interfax, adding that the opinion was maintained by 70% of current respondents vs. 65% in November 2015.
A fifth of current respondents suggest that Russia should search for a compromise and make concessions in order to end the sanctions (19% against 26% in 2015). Ten percent of 1,600 respondents polled in 137 populated localities in 48 regions on May 19-22 were undecided.
Half of the respondents (57%) do not doubt that the European Union will extend the anti-Russian sanctions this year. The number of respondents who believe that the sanctions will not be extended (20%) or are undecided (22%) is practically the same.
The sociologists also asked the respondents about their attitude to certain countries.
The sentiment about the EU has worsened since January 2017: 27% of current respondents declared their liking for the European Union vs. 39% at the beginning of the year, while 55% said they felt bad about the EU (47% before), and 18% were hesitant.
The United States is liked by 23% of current respondents (37% in January) and disliked by 61% (49% before), and 15% are undecided.
Less than a third (27%) like Ukraine, and over half (59%) have bad feelings about this country.
Belarus is liked by 78% of the respondents and disliked by 9%.