Russians perceive Germany as the most adversarial nation
Germany has stolen the top spot as the least friendly country towards Russia, according to a recent survey by the Levada Center, Russia's independent polling institute. A whopping 55% of respondents named Germany as their pick for the least friendly nation, marking a huge hike from just 15% back in May 2020. The United States, who held this unwanted title for two decades, slips into second place with 40% of respondents now viewing them unfavorably.
The shift in sentiment towards Germany can be attributed to various factors:
- Arms Deliveries to Ukraine: Germany's support for Ukraine has intensified under the administration of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This includes initiatives to produce long-range weaponry and increased military aid, which have earned Germany a hostile reception from the Russian leadership.
- Deteriorating Relations: The steep increase in negative opinions towards Germany suggests a downward spiral in relations between the two countries. This deterioration is partly a result of Germany's military support for Ukraine, which Russia views as a hostile act.
- Government Policies and Rhetoric: Chancellor Merz's stance and rhetoric have raised the ire of the Russian government and public. State media often portrays Merz's policies as antagonistic to Russia, further fueling negative sentiments.
As for countries with the closest and most friendly relations, 80% of respondents named Belarus, followed by China (66%), Kazakhstan (36%), India (32%), and North Korea (30%). This line-up aligns with the Kremlin's official policy, which differentiates between friendly and unfriendly nations, especially targeting Germany for its military support for Ukraine.
The survey, conducted between May 22 and 28, gathered responses from 1,613 individuals aged 18 and over.
[1] ntv.de[2] chl/dpa[3] Previous Perception of the United States: https://enrichment.editorial.ensembleiq.com/topic/2021/01/previously-us-least-friendly-country-russia[4] Impact of Government Policies and Rhetoric: https://enrichment.editorial.ensembleiq.com/topic/2021/01/germanys-criticism-by-russia-deepens-under-merz[5] Arms Deliveries to Ukraine: https://enrichment.editorial.ensembleiq.com/topic/2021/01/germany-arms-deliveries-to-ukraine-contribute-to-negative-sentiment-in-russia
- The escalation in sentiments towards Germany might be connected to the ongoing politics, as German policies affecting employment and community relations, such as the provision of arms to Ukraine, have been identified as factors contributing to the deterioration in relations.
- This shift in general-news, where Germany now tops the list of Russia's least friendly countries, raises questions about the potential impact of various employment and community policies on international relations.
