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Poll gauges Russians' mixed feelings for non-recognition of Crimea by West

Every fifth respondent said many countries refused to officially recognize the Black Sea peninsula as Russian territory, as they feared Russia’s growing influence in the international arena

© ITAR-TASS/Alexei Pavlishak

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MOSCOW, April 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Almost 60% of Russians are sure that the fact that many countries continue to consider Crimea part of Ukraine should not have any negative consequences, suggests a recent opinion poll by the WCIOM Public Opinion Studies Foundation.

Soundings recorded that only a quarter of those surveyed considered that the situation might be harmful for Russia.

“Mainly country residents (69% of the respondents) have no fear of the consequences, while the residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg tend to hold the opposite opinion,” sociologists say. “Those who express some fears first of all mention economic sanctions (34%).” Besides, some citizens (11%) expect this will complicate relations between Russia and the West in the future.

Every fifth respondent said many countries refused to officially recognize the Black Sea peninsula as Russian territory, as they feared Russia’s growing influence in the international arena. Some respondents explained the unwillingness of the West to see Crimea as part of Russia by US pressures on other states (13% of the respondents) and their own intention to take over Crimea (13%).

The survey was conducted on April 5-6, when 1,600 men and women in 130 towns and cities in 42 Russian regions were interviewed. The margin of error did not exceed 3.4%.

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