56.47% Say Russophobia Comes From Russians Being Too Straightforward

The Anti-Russia sentiment — Russophobia, is a biased, suspicious, and hostile attitude towards Russia, the Russian people, and the Russian culture. Lately, Russophobia is becoming more common. Experts and society divide Russophobia into three periods. In fact, the first period comes from to time of the USSR. During the Cold War, when there was a tough ideological confrontation between communists and capitalists, the USSR, to the capitalist countries, seemed a terrible threat.

Furthermore, the second period of Russophobia comes from the Ukrainian crisis of 2014. In particular, Russia’s reunification with Crimea in 2014 was a very serious geopolitical bid, which was condemned by the world. Lastly, the third period of the Russophobia term surge is 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. The war, which Russia calls a ‘special operation’, has been going on for two months now, along with an endless stream of sanctions against Russia.

Indeed, the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine gave rise to many consequences for Russian speakers all over the world. Thus, Real Research — the online survey app, took a survey about the public opinion on Russophobia to find out if people are aware of this term. What’s the reason for Russophobia? Is Russophobia an act of racism? Here are the results.

Highlights

• 56.47% think that some have Russophobia because Russians are too straightforward and quick-tempered
• 50.17% had Russophobia before, but their opinion changed when they spent time with Russians
• 53.65% believe that Russophobia has increased due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine

Over Half Think Russophobia Exists Due to Russians Being Too Straightforward

To start off, the Real Research online survey app asks if respondents have any Russian speaking friends or family members. In response, 69.89% say ‘yes’ and 30.11% say ‘no’. In addition, 72.80% have heard of the term Russophobia, while 27.20% have not.

As for the reason for the presence of Russophobia amongst the public, the majority (56.47%) believe it’s due to the nature of Russians’ too straightforward and quick-tempered characters. Adding on, 10.67% and 10.37% think it’s because of old sentiments of the Cold War and the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

The next most popular reason is that Russia’s policy in the international arena is complicated (9.02%). Following that, 5.64%, 3.69%, and 2.56% believe that it’s due to Russia’s possession of nuclear weapons, the fact that Vladimir Putin is a former KGB officer, and people in Russia are brainwashed.

50.17% Once Had Russophobia, Their Opinion Changed Upon Meeting Russians

The survey then asks respondents if they or their family members have Russophobia. On this, 50.17% reveal they had Russophobia, but their opinion changed when they spent time with Russians. Furthermore, 26.67% never had Russophobia. On the other hand, 14% still have Russophobia due to the current situation between Russia and Ukraine while 8.31% have Russophobia since the Cold War.

Accordingly, the survey asks if Russophobia is an act of racism. On this, 45.20% say ‘most definitely’, 20.97% say ‘definitely’, 21.34% say ‘unsure’, and 12.48% say ‘not at all’.

Next, the survey also inquires which country, according to respondents, has the largest number of people with Russophobia. Here, 57.15% say Ukraine, while USA and Poland both got 7.82% each. Furthermore, 4.48% and 4.38% believe that UK and Germany are the countries with the largest number of people with Russophobia.

Russophobia Has Increased Due to the Crisis Between Russia and Ukraine

Next, the survey asks where Russophobia comes from. In reply, the majority (50.84%) say it comes from the country’s government. Meanwhile, 17.38% and 10.16% believe that Russophobia comes from the people and is imposed by other states. Lastly, 21.03% of the respondents are unsure.

To conclude, the survey asks if Russophobia has increased due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine? In answer, 53.65% say ‘most definitely’, 20.95% say ‘definitely’, and 5.97% say ‘not at all’. Finally, 19.43% of the respondents are unsure.