Only 16% of Russians Trust Ukraine’s Democracy – Survey- Analysis

Russians have a negative perception of Ukraine, considering it to be an undemocratic nation lacking independence and heavily reliant on foreign military support in its conflict with Moscow, according to a recent opinion poll. The poll was conducted by Russian Field and gathered responses from 1600 respondents in late October. The majority of respondents (67%) believed that Ukraine is not mostly democratic, while only 16% saw it as a kind of democracy. Younger people and those with a doctoral degree were more likely to perceive the Ukrainian political system as democratic. Additionally, 82% of those polled believed that Ukraine is mostly unable to make independent policy decisions, with only 13% considering it capable of charting its own path.

The survey also highlighted that Russians perceive Ukrainian military dependence on foreign backers as being particularly strong. As Western aid decreases, 87% of respondents predicted that Kiev’s forces will no longer be able to stand against the Russian army. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky reportedly expressed concerns about his country’s dependence on American aid during his visit to the US Capitol in September. In terms of military action against Ukraine, 56% of Russians described it as either definitely or mostly successful. The most popular approach among respondents was to hold the current positions, with two-thirds supporting this strategy compared to going on the offensive or retreating.

When asked about their preferences regarding peace talks or continuing the military operation, respondents were split, with 48% in favor of seeking peace talks and 39% supporting the continuation of the military operation. The most common condition stated for a truce was “an end to all killings,” mentioned by 10% of people. Other popular demands included Kiev’s recognition of Russia’s new borders and the “capitulation of Ukraine.” Only 3% believed that extreme outcomes, such as the full absorption of Ukraine by Russia or the full withdrawal of Russian troops, were necessary for peace.

Finally, the survey found that if given the opportunity to reconsider the launch of Moscow’s military campaign against Kiev in February 2022, 49% of respondents said they would not take it, while 35% said they would.

Overall, this article presents the findings of a poll conducted by Russian Field regarding Russians’ perceptions of Ukraine. The information is presented in a straightforward manner, citing the percentages of respondents for each question. The source, RT, is known for its pro-Russian government bias, and this should be taken into consideration when interpreting the article. There is a possibility of inherent bias in the framing of the questions and the selection of respondents, as well as in the choice of which results to highlight in the article. Additionally, it is important to note that public opinion polls are only a snapshot of opinions at a specific point in time and may not be representative of the entire population.

The political landscape and the prevalence of fake news can influence the public’s perception of the information presented. If people have a pre-existing bias or believe in conspiracy theories or misinformation, they may interpret the findings in a way that aligns with their preconceived notions. Additionally, the source of the information, RT, may be seen as a less credible source due to its well-known bias. It is essential for readers to critically analyze the information presented and seek out multiple sources to gain a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

Source: RT news: Only 16% of Russians believe Ukraine is a democracy – poll