Perceptions of Russia

Tuesday 11 February 2003

Half of people in Britain (51%) say they have neither a favourable or unfavourable view of Russia, according to new research from MORI. The project was commissioned by Expert Group, a business information provider in Russia as part of its 'Real Russia' campaign. The project aimed to reveal British perceptions and levels of knowledge of Russia and its leader in comparison to other countries, institutions and world leaders.

The main findings of the research are:

• More than four-fifths of British people (83%) say they know almost nothing or just a little about Russia, and two fifths (39%) were able to select Vladimir Putin from a list of names when asked who is currently President of Russia.
• One in five people (21%) say they have an unfavourable view of Russia and 17% say their view is favourable — but half (51%) say they have neither a favourable or unfavourable view.
• America is trusted by more people on matters of world security than Russia (35% compared to 16%). However, more people also say they distrust America on matters of world security than distrust Russia (43% compared with 36%).
• President Putin is deemed trustworthy by more people than President Bush on matters of world security (21% compared to 18%), and fewer distrust him than distrust President Bush (25% compared with 64%)
• More British people — 59% — say they distrust Tony Blair than distrust Vladimir Putin.
• Three in 10 people (30%) agree that Russia joining the European Union would benefit its current members, but over a third (36%) disagree.

Technical details

A nationally representative quota sample of 2,058 adults (aged 15 and over) was interviewed throughout Great Britain by MORI. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in-home, in 199 sampling points across Great Britain, between 23-27 January 2003. Data has been weighted to reflect the population of Great Britain.

Topline Results

• These unedited topline findings are given in the form of percentages are based on 2,058 interviews with adults aged 15+.
• Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in-home, in 199 sampling points across Great Britain, between 23 — 27 January 2003.
• Data has been weighted to reflect the population of Great Britain.
• Percentage figures are based on the total sample of 2,058 unless stated otherwise.
• It is important to note that caution should be exercised for those questions applicable to only a minority of the sample.
• An asterisk (*) indicates a percentage of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero.
• Where percentages do not add up to 100% this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses or exclusion of 'don't know' or 'not applicable' categories.

Q1 I would now like to ask your opinion about some countries and institutions.

I am going to read out the names of some countries and institutions. You probably know some better than others. Using the categories on this card, I would like you to tell me how well you feel you know each country or institution. In making your choice, take into account any of the ways you have learned or heard about the country or institution.

Q2 Now I am going to read out the countries and institutions again, and this time I would like you to tell me how favourable or unfavourable your overall opinion or impression of each is.

Take into account any of the things which you think are important. Remember that it is your overall opinion or impression that we are interested in.

Q3 Now I am going to read out the countries and institutions again, along with some world leaders, and this time I would like you to tell me the extent to which you trust or distrust each on matters of world security?

Q4 To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Q5 Can you tell me who is currently President of Russia?

Q6 Which, if any, of these words do you believe most applies to the current economic situation in Russia?