Source : Itar-Tass / 24 Apr 2014

Every other Russian citizen believes that the country is unlikely to be isolated from the West, while 4% of the surveyed are sure that isolation will undoubtedly happen, a poll by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Centre (WCIOM) has found.

The research center questioned 1,600 men and women of age in 130 cities of 42 Russian regions on March 22-23. The error margin did not exceed 3.4%.

The surveyed were asked to answer whether Russia’s isolation from the West was possible and what consequences it might bring about. According to the poll results, published on Wednesday, 50% of the respondents said it was hardly probable and another 13 said the isolation was absolutely impossible.

However, about a quarter of the surveyed said that such a development should not be swept aside altogether, while 4% had absolutely no doubts the isolation would happen anyway. People in Moscow and St. Petersburg and non-parliamentary parties’ affiliates tend to expect isolation.

The poll shows that almost half of the surveyed believe that isolation, should it happen, will not affect the country in any way. Nevertheless, 46% forecast there will be changes for the government. Mostly young respondents and people with low incomes are afraid of bad consequences for Russia. Only 29% of the population consider isolation may be harmful for the country, while another 17% foresee positive changes.