In Russia, opinions are divided over the likely impact of a new round of sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European Union. While the EU is expected to expand its list of targeted individuals and companies, a new poll shows a majority of Russians blame the West for the conflict and back continued Russian support for Ukraine’s separatists.
A new survey published by the independent Levada-Center polling organization shows a majority of Russians believe their country should continue its support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Of the poll’s 1,600 respondents, around a third were worried about sanctions, and two thirds were not.
I don’t care about sanctions, because they’ve got nothing to do with me, a citizen of Russia. They affect businesses, so let the businessmen deal with it.
I don’t think the sanctions will affect Russia. We are a strong country. I think there’s nothing scary in these sanctions.
Of course we feel sorry in Russia, I feel bad for Putin, poor him. We’re trying so hard, but nothing’s happening.
A majority of those polled said they expect a lengthy regional conflict.
Two-thirds said they expect Russia to go to war against Ukraine. More than half said the regional conflict could even lead to a third world war.
It’s not uncommon to hear an attitude of bluster here, whether on the Russian streets, or from Russian state media. But privately among oligarchs, economists and some politicians present and former, the reaction is one of fear.
"Russia’s economy has been plummeting like a falling bomber plane. The GDP growth has been going down and down and down. As for citizens, they will just feel that the already worsening economy is shifting towards crisis or that the situation was worsened by sanctions. I think they would not care who’s to blame." Said Andrei Nechayev, FMR Economy Minister.
Though Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia will not retaliate or, quote, "fall into hysterics" over the economic damage caused by sanctions, if Russian banks, defence and technology firms get squeezed by tumbling sales and a lack of financing, that could change.