A quarter of citizens stopped considering Russia a European country

Sociologists of the Levada Center* have published the results of the study "Russia and Europe" devoted to relations between Russia and the countries of the West.

As follows from the results of the survey, the number of Russians who consider Russia a European country has almost halved in less than a decade and a half, while a very sharp drop in the position of the Russian Federation as a European country in the minds of citizens took place over the past year. Now Russia is considered a European country by only 29% of Russians. This figure has decreased by 23% compared to 2008. At the same time, 64% of respondents are convinced that Russia is not a European country. Another 7% of respondents found it difficult to answer.

“Back in 2019, these indicators were 37% and 55%, respectively. On the whole, since 2008 the number of those who believe that Russia is a European country has dropped by almost half: from 52% to 29%. The number of those who think otherwise has grown in approximately the same proportion: from 36% to 64%”, -the researchers note.

It is curious that the status of Russia as a European power is more often supported by representatives of the older generation - those who are 55 and over (33%). Young people 18-24 think differently. There were 71% of those surveyed.

At the same time, the idol of Russians who consider themselves Europeans has shrunk.

“In 2008, 35% of respondents thought so, in 2019 their number fell to 32%, and at the beginning of 2021 - to 27%”, - the Dozhd TV channel reports.

If we talk about the perception of the attitude of Western countries towards Russia, then among 1,600 participants in the survey, 23% are sure that Western countries treat Russia with concern, 12% believe that the attitude is respectful, and 18% believe that the West is afraid of Russia.

* ANO Levada-Center is included by the Ministry of Justice in the register of non-profit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent.