Russia: Putin’s citizens see Germany as the main enemy

According to a survey by the independent Moscow opinion research institute, Lewada for the Russians is now the most hostile country for the Russians. 55 percent of the respondents therefore named Germany first when asked about the most unfriendly states; Since May 2020, this has been an increase of 40 percentage points, said Lewada in Moscow.

The United States held the top position for two decades, now the country now called 40 percent of those surveyed – after 76 percent last year. That is related to the revival of Russian-American relationships under US President Donald Trump, it said.

In contrast, Germany is increasingly criticizing – not least because of the arms deliveries to the Ukraine attacked by Russia. The tone has particularly tightened since Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) took over the government business. Great Britain is in second place in the countries of 49 percent of those surveyed, followed by Ukraine (43).

In the representative survey, the Russians were also asked about the five countries with which they combine closest and friendly relationships. 80 percent named the neighbors Belarus first, two thirds performed China. Kazakhstan (36 percent) came in third place, followed by India (32) and North Korea (30).

The results also reflect the official policy of the Kremlin, which has divided the world into unfriendly and friendly states since the beginning of the Russian attack war. Especially Germany, which was one of the most important customers of Russian gas in the EU for a long time, sees himself criticized for his military support for Ukraine in Moscow.

According to Lewada, 1,613 people over the age of 18 were interviewed between the 22nd and 28th May 28th.