Western members of NATO have no reason to fear Russia, says Russians

Most Russians (75 percent) think that Russia should normalize relations with the United States and other Western nations, and 16 percent argue the opposite, Levada Center has told Interfax.

Ten percent of 1,600 respondents interviewed in 137 populated localities in 48 regions on November 20-23 were undecided.

In the opinion of 51 percent of the respondents, Western members of NATO have no reason to fear Russia (39 percent believe such reasons exist), while 54 percent think Russia has a reason to fear NATO countries (36 percent claim the opposite).

Seventy percent of the respondents are positive that Russia should normalize relations with Ukraine. Twenty percent think this is not necessary, and 10 percent are undecided.

In the opinion of 54 percent of the respondents, Russia has found itself in international isolation. Thirty-nine percent disagree, and 8 percent are unable to answer the question.

According to the sociologists, two-thirds of Russians (65 percent) think that Russia should carry on its policy irrespective of the Western sanctions, and 26 percent suggest that a compromise be sought and concessions be made for ridding of the sanctions. The indices stood at 72 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in March.

The Western sanctions have not caused serious problems for 71 percent of Russians, and 23 percent claimed the opposite.

The respondents were also asked about their attitude to certain countries.

Some 70 percent of the respondents said they had a bad attitude to the United States (a good attitude was declared by 21 percent), 60 percent feel bad about the EU (29 percent feel good), 63 percent do not like Ukraine (27 percent like it), and 83 percent have a good attitude to Belarus (8 percent have a bad attitude).

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