Russia’s Attitude Toward the U.S.: Ally or Adversary?

[steve2470]

http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/2085.cfm

Andrei Nesterov
Moscow, Russia
May 21, 2005


After visiting Moscow for the first time as Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice told reporters she was bothered by the low regard many Russians have for the United States. Most likely, Rice experienced this shock when being interviewed by the Ekho Moskvy radio station. The host of this Moscow-based radio station program asked listeners to call in and share their perceptions of the United States. Out of 6,000 respondents, as reported by the radio station’s polling center, 46 percent said they considered the United States to be Russia’s adversary, while 54 percent said the United States was Russia’s ally.

This is the way the United States is perceived in Russia — Russian society is split on its attitude toward the United States, and extremely negative viewpoints live alongside very positive perceptions. Obviously, the United States is a hot topic for debating among Russian people, and most Russians have something to say about the United States and Americans.

Russians have an idea of the United States as an economic paradise (according to a detailed public opinion poll conducted by VTSIOM polling center in 2003, on the eve of the first visit of President Valdimir V. Putin to the USA).

Russian people speak with admiration about the United States’ wealth. “Americans know how to live,” said one of the respondents, expressing the opinion popular among Russian people.




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[barb162]

1. neither...I think they use enlightened self-interest as they see things

play out