51% of Russians have never heard of the existence of the Union State, 39% know something about the supranational formation, but only in a general context, a recent survey by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) reads.
According to the sociologists, only 10% of interviewees are well aware of Russia’ and Belarus’ attempts and intentions to unite.
The research shows that 48% of Russians are against the unification of Belarus and Russia. 18% believe that unification is possible, but only on an equal footing. 17% of Russians would like Belarus to access to Russia.
1% of the respondents call Belarus-Russia relations ‘hostile’, 15% – ‘slightly downhill’, 30% – ‘normal’, 22% – ‘friendly’, 15% – ‘good-neighbourly’, 9% believe that there are tensions between Belarus and Russia.
In 2019, the Union State has turned 20 years. Many Belarusians share the opinion that our country does not need the Union State; Hanna Kanapatskaya, a deputy of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament, has recently called the project ‘a stillborn child’. According to the lawmaker, a referendum in Belarus might close the door on the Union State.
