Against the backdrop of complicated international situation and the deterioration of relations with the West, most importantly with the United States, almost one and a half times since 2009 has increased the interest of the Russian people To events and processes of international life, according to a study by the Institute of sociology RAS.

according to the research, events, foreign policy in 2009 was interested in only 20% of Russian citizens, while in 2014 - 33%, every second is interested in them occasionally.


As shown by research, despite the emotional response to certain events of international life, fewer citizens of Russia is considered a realistic goal return Russia status of a superpower like the USSR was. A more realistic goal they signify the entry of Russia into a number of the most economically developed and politically significant countries in the world. The share of Russian citizens, separating the corresponding position has increased from 45% in 2007 to 52% in 2014.

The return of Russia to the status of "great power" citizens of Russia is linked mainly with the creation of a developed economy and ensuring a high level of life of residents (Over 50%) and thirty percent believes that it is possible to do it through culture and the revival of the national spirit ". To date, it is Clear that the purpose was "great power" - in the mass consciousness has no external aggressive nature, and in fact is associated with nostalgic sentiment and a rejection of the unequal position of Russia in the world community.


in the study noted that in the Russian mass consciousness has changed priorities in the assessment of the main sources of threats to state: if a year earlier, the most important for Russian citizens were internal challenges and dangers, but today the focus has shifted to the outside.

The degree of tension in the public consciousness and sensitivity of Residents To the possible threats to the Russian Federation today are quite large, and they focused most importantly on external sources. The overwhelming majority of Residents (61%) believe that the main dangers come from abroad, while only 18% believe that the main sources of possible negative scenarios for the Russian Federation should be sought within itself. The majority of Russian citizens (21%) are in a state of uncertainty and to speak out on this issue have failed.

Retraction of the Russian Federation in combat operations in Ukraine, the NATO expansion to the East, and other related events are, in the opinion of Russian citizens, the basis of the agenda, reflecting the most dangerous for the Russian Federation trends.

The hostile policy of the Russian Federation, and the attempts to influence it from a position of strength, cause the mass consciousness of Russian citizens a sharp decline in the popularity of countries that have pursued such a policy, the study says.

it mostly affected the perception of the Russians and the U.S. foreign policy. However, in this or another extent it has affected Most of the European countries that are now inferior to the level of sympathy For him new allies in the capital of Russia in the East. So, now on the level of the sympathies of the citizens of Russia, China and India are way ahead of any other European country, including the most popular of them in Russia - France.


the study highlights that the majority of Russian citizens believe that the punishment imposed by the West, and all that is connected with them, ordinary people on the "large" will not be affected and will affect mostly just " top " society.

It is noteworthy that even in the case of waiting for the deterioration of his life in the near future Russian citizens see, generally, possible causes of deterioration does not effect the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia, but rather the failures of domestic policy.

significantly greater impact on the population of the country had not the introduction of anti-punishment, and the growth of the dollar and the Euro, clearly, the negative effects of which emphasizes fifty percent of Russian citizens. While thirty percent of the population has no impact on my life this event is not sensed.

in General, citizens of Russia are ready himself to go on a separate sacrifice for the sake of increasing the international prestige of the country, and you can even talk about the fact that Western punishment consolidated Russian society, causing a similar reaction among all the social groups that make up the multiple layers of people.

sections: Politics