Russia's global image has soured significantly over the past year amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, a new study by the Pew Research Center has shown.
On average, 43 percent of respondents across 44 countries have an unfavorable view of Russia, compared to 34 percent who are sympathetic toward the country, according to the study released Wednesday.
Meanwhile, attitudes toward Russia have deteriorated in 20 of the 36 countries surveyed both this and last year, improving in just six countries and remaining relatively similar in 10.
The worst dynamics were observed in the U.S., where the number of people with an unfavorable view of Russia grew from 43 percent in 2013 to 72 percent in 2014. In the EU, the number of people with the same attitude rose 20 percentage points to 74 percent.
The general attitude toward Russia was also negative in the Middle East, Latin America and Japan, though in India and China, the majority of the population approved of Russia — with more people doing so than last year.
In Ukraine, which lost the Crimean peninsula to Russia in March, 60 percent view Russia negatively, compared to just 11 percent in 2011.
However, among Russians polled in the survey, 92 percent displayed a positive attitude toward their own country — up from 83 percent in 2013.
Worldwide confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin was also low, the survey showed. Only in China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kenya and Tanzania did the majority of the population believe he was likely to do right in global affairs.
The study, which was conducted from March 17 to June 5, covered 48,643 respondents and did not specify a margin of error.
See also:
Putin's Approval Ratings Soar to Six-Year Highhttp://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putins-approval-ratings-soar-to-six-year-high/501137.html
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
