The relations between Ukraine and Russia regarding new political realities

Respondents were selected by quota sample, representing the state’s adult population by place of residence (region), sex and age. The volume of sample selection — 2077 respondents. Expecting average sample error ±2,2%.

This release contains information in dynamic – the results of several the national wave researchThis release contains information in dynamic – the results of several the national wave research

Ø In fact, for the time being the “Russian vector” of Ukraine‘s foreign policy prevails in Ukrainian public opinion.

Ø The majority of respondents (61%) believe Russia to be the main ally of Ukraine, thus 19% of respondents believe the main ally is the European Union. Herewith, a quite large number of people from the East and South of Ukraine (79%) and 61% of inhabitants of Central Ukraine regard Russia as an ally  and European Union as an ally is supported by a relative majority of residents of Western.

Ø The most positive attitude Ukrainians have to such countries as Russia (59%), Belarus (49%) and Germany (22%). The most negative attitude could be seen to Iraq (29%), Iran (24%), Georgia (16%)  and the USA (14%). At the same time more than one-third of the respondents (36%) didn’t’ mention any country they attitude negatively.

WHO IS ACCORDING TO THE RESPONDENTS’ OPINION THE BIGGEST ALLY OF UKRAINE NOWADAYS (ONE ANSWER)

Russia

61

EU

19

USA

3

Nobody

9

Difficult to answer

8

Ø After the end of the presidential elections and forming of new power in Ukraine for the first time since August 2005, the perception of Ukrainian people of the Ukrainian-Russian relations has turned to better.

Ø       For the first time since November 2008, the number of negative estimations of Ukrainian-Russian relations became less than positive ones. In March 2010, 21% of Ukrainians thought the relations were strained and bad, but in September 2009 this point of view was shared by 60% respondents.

Ø       In March 2010 the majority of Ukrainian people (40%) characterized the Ukrainian-Russian relations as “the same good as bad”. 36% respondents believed the Ukrainian-Russian relations were good and good-neighbourly.

ESTIMATION BY UKRAINIAN OF MODERN STATE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS OF UKRAINE AND RUSSIA. MARCH 2005 – МАРТ 2010 (ONE ANSWER)

March 2005

August 2005

November 2006

November 2008

January 2009

February 2009

August 2009

September 2009

March 2010

In whole strained, bad

15

32

32

51

64

61

64

60

21

The same goods as bad

26

29

32

29

25

26

20

23

40

In whole good, good-neighbourly

57

32

31

16

7

11

13

12

36

Difficult to answer

2

7

5

5

3

2

3

5

3

Ø Nowadays the attitude of Ukrainians to Russia is in whole positive.

Ø The majority of Ukrainian people supports positive attitude to Russia: 30% think Russia to be brotherly country, 27% — friendly country, 19% — strategic partner, 16% — just a neighbor.

Ø There is a regional specifics of perception of Russia by the Ukrainians: in Southeast of Ukraine the majority of respondents thinks Russia to be brotherly country (46%), in central regions – friendly country and strategic partner (28% and 26% respondents correspondently), in the West of Ukraine 34% respondents think Russia to be just a neighbor.

Ø In March 2010 the majority of people of Ukraine (71%) mentioned that Ukrainians and Russians have more common than diverse. At the same time comparing to September 2009, the number of Ukrainians shared this opinion have increased on 10%.

STATEMENT THAT CHARACTIRIZE THE PERCEPTION OF RUSSIA BY THE RESPONDENTS (ONE ANSWER)

Brotherly country

30

Allied country

27

Strategic partner

19

Just a neighbor

16

Competitor

4

Enemy country

1

Source of threatening for Ukraine

2

Difficult to answer

1

WHAT ACCORDING TO THE RESPONDENTS’ OPINION UKRAINIANS AND RUSSIAN HAVE MORE: COMMON OR DIVERSE

September, 2009

March, 2010

More common

61

71

More diverse

28

24

Difficult to answer

12

5

Ø Within the period of forming the new power in Ukraine the problem of improvement the Ukrainian-Russian relations was renewed

Ø In March 2010 the majority of Ukrainians (91%) suggested it to be necessary to improve the relations with Russia.  From the regional angel such point of view was supported by 79% inhabitants of the western and 95% inhabitants of the central and southeastern regions of Ukraine.

Ø The majority of Ukrainians expected the improvement of Russian-Ukrainian relations after the presidential elections in Ukraine: in March 2010 38% respondents thought the friendly and brotherly relations of both countries would be restored and 25% respondents thought the relations between Ukraine and Russia would normalize although they wouldn’t be friendly or brotherly.

Ø Among the factors working for approaching of Ukraine and Russia the majority of Ukrainians named coincidence of economical (59%) and political (30%) interests of both countries, also ties of relationship among their inhabitants (24%).  

IS IT NECESSARY ACCORDING TO THE RESPONDENTS’ OPINION TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA

In whole Yes

91

In whole No

5

Indifferent

2

Difficult to answer

2

HOW DO THE RESPONDENTS SEE THE FUTURE OF UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE (ONE ANSWER)

Relations will be brotherly and allied

25

Friendly, close relations will be restored

38

Relations will be normalized although not brotherly and allied any more

28

Relations will go worse further

3

Difficult to answer

6

«Hvylya»