The people of Russia named a list of friends and enemies: Lithuania again had a place of honor

Last year, Delfi announced that the Levada Center, as in recent years, had conducted a traditional poll of friends and enemies in Russia. At the time, in the respondents’ homes, they were asked some simple questions: which five countries could you name as the friendliest to Russia, and which as the most hostile? After presenting the card with a list of countries in front of their eyes, respondents were able to choose several countries. The results weren’t too surprising

So again this year, despite the coronavirus rampant during the pandemic respite, two surveys were conducted in August and September. One of them, held from August 20 to 26. – more generally, when respondents can choose from a list of countries already provided. Another survey was conducted on September 25-30, during which respondents were already able to identify Russia’s enemies themselves. The results weren’t surprising, but there are also interesting details.

Friendship and hostility

The first survey, in which it was allowed to select several countries from the table with the names of countries, which, according to respondents, would be applied to the categories of friends or enemies of Russia.

A quantitative survey was conducted in 137 cities and settlements in Russia, surveying 1.6 thousand. people from 18 years old. Russians continue to call Belarus the friendliest state (58%), which is 4%. points less than last year, although researchers have not concluded whether such an attitude was in any way influenced by the post-election protests that have already started in Belarus against the government of Alexander Lukashenko.

In general, Belarus received 85%. surveyed. True, 44 to 41 percent. The number of those who wanted to “develop more active economic relationships” decreased from 10% to 13%. the number of people willing to “join Belarus in Russia” has increased.

The remaining five countries in terms of friendliness also maintained their positions last year, but also declined: in second place, China 40 percent. (last year it was 42 percent), Kazakhstan -35 percent. (last year it was 38%), Armenia – 17%. (last year it was 22%), Azerbaijan – 13%. (last year it was 16 percent).

The list of enemies has not changed either: the United States continues to lead the list of hostile or hostile countries to Russia, with 60 percent. (last year it was 67 percent), followed by Ukraine with 35 percent. (last year it was 40%), the UK fell the most drastically: 29%. (last year it was 38%), and Latvia and Lithuania finish in the top five with 26% each.

Among enemies, even aliens

The second survey was a bit more interesting, as respondents could only provide their own answers, not necessarily the statuses. Interestingly, overall, there were a growing number of people in Russia who thought the country had enemies, up to 82 percent. For comparison, in December 2017, there were “only” 66% of them.

Of the 82% who believe that Russia has enemies, the majority, even 70%. appointed by the United States. Other countries collected much less, Ukraine in second place, only 14 percent. The UK was rated 10% hostile. surveyed. And then the list is even more interesting: 7 percent each. called Poland and the hostile EU. After 5 percent. Respondent participants called Germany, the West in general, and the Baltic countries hostile to Russia. 4 percent called China, and 3 percent. – NATO.

The same – 3 percent. they were convinced that “the whole world, aliens and aliens” are enemies of Russia, but at the same time the same number of respondents – 3 percent. chose the response options, which the researchers grouped into a block: “our government, government, summits, State Duma, United Russia, officials.” Terrorist organizations were named in front of 2 percent, themselves, corruption and Vladimir Putin, 1 percent each. The same number (1%) named both US President Donald Trump and the “fifth column of opposition, liberal” against Russia.

Researchers have singled out several countries in the top five: first, the United States, for which hostility does not diminish and, for example, Ukraine has dropped significantly from 34 percent. 2 years ago.