The number of Russians who view the United States as a threat to other countries has hit its lowest level in a decade, a survey by the independent Levada Center found Tuesday.
Sixty-nine percent of 1,600 respondents labelled the United States as a threat, down from 77 in February 2015.
Relations between the United States and Moscow deteriorated in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea and the resulting economic sanctions against Russia by Western nations.
Levada Center sociologist Natalya Zorkaya told The Moscow Times that anti-American feeling had calmed since the height of the Ukraine Crisis, with Washington and the Kremlin now cooperating more closely over the conflict in Syria.
“The system of negative propaganda [toward the United States] is continuing, but we have seen a softening in rhetoric,” she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in June of Russia’s commitment to fully cooperate with the United States in the international arena. “Along with the United States and other partners, we have managed to implement ceasefire agreements in several Syrian regions. This yet again confirms that the most serious problems of today can only be solved together,” Putin said.
The Levada Center poll was carried out between June 23 and June 27, compiling the views of 1600 Russians over the age of 18 living in both urban and rural areas in 48 Russian regions.
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.
