April 09, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Russia regard their country’s relationship with the United States in a positive light, according to a poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center. 36 per cent of respondents rate bilateral ties as normal, while 26 per cent assess the relationship as cool.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Russia regard their country’s relationship with the United States in a positive light, according to a poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center. 36 per cent of respondents rate bilateral ties as normal, while 26 per cent assess the relationship as cool.

Only 12 per cent of respondents regard bilateral ties as stressed, and three per cent say they are hostile.

Relations between the U.S. and Russia have deteriorated over Washington’s plans to implement a missile-defence shield in Central Europe. In January 2007, the U.S. issued a formal request to place a radar base in the Czech Republic—in a military area southwest of Prague—as well as 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

Washington has explained the project as a means to defend the U.S. and its European allies from a potential attack by Iran or North Korea. However, some countries doubt that Iran could actually represent a danger for the U.S. and its allies in Europe and fear the missile-defence shield could eventually become a threat to other nations instead—including Russia.

Russia has also expressed concerns over U.S.-backed plans to invite several former Soviet Republics into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including Georgia and Ukraine.

On Apr. 4, Russian president Vladimir Putin denied that the world is returning to a Cold War mentality, saying, "None of the global players—Europe, the United States or Russia—is interested in returning to the past. (...) Let’s be friends, guys, and engage in an honest dialogue."

Polling Data

How would you rate the state of relations between Russia and the United States?

	2008	2004
As friendly	4%	5%
As good, neighbourly	7%	7%
As normal, calm	36%	36%
As cool	26%	24%
As stressed	12%	13%
As hostile	3%	4%
Hard to answer	12%	11%

Source: All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center
Methodology: Interviews with 1,600 Russian adults, conducted on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, 2008. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.