The impact of the Kremlin’s propaganda on such issues as security, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, international relations and energy, is yet rather powerful inside Moldovan society, ascertained experts of WatchDog.MD Community who, together with CBS Research, presented a poll on Friday. According to them, the tendencies of the responses about the causes of the war and the attitude to the country that is the victim of aggression are particularly worrisome. Less than half of the respondents of the poll said that Russia and its administration are to blame for the war. Only 36% of those surveyed named Ukraine a conflicting party that is right.
In a news conference hosted by IPN, sociologist Vasile Cantarji, of SBS Research, said that almost 40% of those polled consider that the events in Ukraine represents an unjustified, unprovoked invasion by the Russian Federation. Another 22.5% of those interviewed said that Russia defends the people’s republics in Donbas from Ukraine’s attacks, while 12% believe that it is an operation to free Ukraine from Nazism. Also, 1% of the respondents said that Russia defends its interests/itself. About 25% said something else or didn’t respond. These tendencies as regards division into camps appeared when the war broke out and persisted since then.
When being asked who they believe bears the biggest responsibility for the war in Ukraine, slightly over 25% of those surveyed said that Vladimir Putin himself, 17.7% - the U.S., 17% - Russia, almost 12% - the administration of Ukraine, 9% - NATO, 3.3% - both Russia and Ukraine, etc.
“42% of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova consider that Crimea is part of Ukraine, 34.5% believe it is part of Russia, while the rest of the citizens do not have a clear position on the issue. Each second respondent said that the inclusion of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk into Russia is illegal. 23.5% consider this is legal, while 26.7% could not say,” stated Vasile Cantarji.
WatchDog.MD head Valeriu Pașa said those surveyed were asked if Moldova should accept to support Russia in the war in Ukraine in exchange for cheap gas. An absolute majority of citizens – 72.4% – said they are against, while 14% said they are in favor. 13% didn’t answer. Also, 47.7% of those polled consider Russia is not a threat to Moldova’s security, while 42% consider it is a threat.
The poll was carried out by phone during January 17-26 and covered a sample of 1,001 persons. It was conducted with financial support from the European Union.
Note: IPN News Agency gives the right of reply to persons who consider they were touched by the news items produced based on statements of the organizers of the given news conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference in similar conditions.
