Residents of Russia believe that relations with the Baltic states are strained and think that they are hostile towards their eastern neighbor, Estonian media ERR News writes.
A survey commissioned by the Foreign Ministry of Estonia and conducted by the independent organization Levada Center shows that Russian citizens consider Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to be hostile countries.
Respondents to the survey were asked about Russia’s relations with its western neighbors, Belarus received the most positive rating, while Finland and Sweden remained roughly in the middle of the rating scale. Regarding Estonia, in different age groups and also depending on the place of residence, the opinion was a little different, but in any case, it was more inclined to a negative assessment. The evaluations of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were even more negative, while the majority rated relations with Ukraine as the worst.
In a similar way, the respondents had to assess the extent to which other countries threaten Russia (1 – the greatest risk, 16 – the least risk).
The Baltic States were evaluated with four to eight points. Russians see Ukraine as the biggest threat to their country, and Poland also seems dangerous to the respondents.
Threats from Finland are assessed with eight to nine points, and Norway has received a slightly friendlier rating. Belarus is recognized as the friendliest.
The focus group interviews revealed that the Russians have a negative view of the Baltic states joining NATO, and also mentioned that NATO tanks in Narva are waiting for the opportunity to start an invasion of Russia.
Levada Center survey results also showed that support for the war in Ukraine has shrunk a bit. In March last year, 81% supported the war, in June they were 75% of the population, while in December the number of supporters of the war was 71%.
In total, 1,500 people were surveyed in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Pskov, and Kingissepp, and focus group interviews were also conducted.
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