More than half of Russians display a generally positive attitude toward the US, but only 39 percent feel the same way about bilateral relations, says an opinion poll by the state-run All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Study (VTsIOM).
According to the survey, 55 percent of Russians view the US positively, a two-percent increase since September 2012.
Thirty percent are negative about the US, a two-percent drop.
Those positive about the US included supporters of Russia’s ruling party, United Russia (61 percent), young people (62 percent) and residents of large cities (66 percent).
Those who perceived the US negatively were mainly supporters of the Communist Party (42 percent), the elderly (42 percent) and residents of Russia’s two largest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg (40 percent).
Meanwhile, the proportion of Russians who are positive about Russian-US relations has fallen from 53 percent to 39 percent since last fall.
The share of those negatively assessing bilateral relations has risen from 42 percent to 56 percent.
When asked what distances the two countries from each other, 10 percent of respondents named the US’ “aggressive foreign policy”, and nine percent said it was a difference in political views. Six percent cited the struggle for global dominance.
Among factors bringing Russia and the US closer, nine percent cited economic and trade relations, while five percent noted the fact that many Russians live in the US.
Eight percent said nothing brings the countries together, while 60 percent were unable to name any factor.
The poll was conducted Feb 9-10 among 1,600 people in 138 cities, towns and villages in 46 Russian regions.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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