Following the schedule of joint project of the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) and the Levada Center (Russia), KIIS has conducted a nationwide opinion poll regarding attitude of Ukrainians towards Russia and attitude of Russia towards Ukrainian population, which was held during the period of September 21 – October 3, 2012. 2043 respondents were interviewed; the investigation covered all regions of Ukraine, including Kiev and Crimea Region; the sample was random and is deemed to be representative for population of Ukraine aged 18 and above.

Statistical sample deviation (with probability of 0.95 and design-effect of 1.5) does not exceed:
2.3% for index close to 50%,
2,0% — for index close to 25%,
1,4% — for index close to 10%,
1,0% — for index close to 5%.

Investigation, held by the Levada-Center, is representative for adult population and was conducted during the period of September 21–24, 2012. Sample counts 1601 respondents aged 18 years and covers 127 settlements.

Dynamics of Ukrainians’ answers to the following question: "What is your general attitude to Russia?"; and dynamics of Russians’ answers to the following question: "What is your general attitude to Ukraine?"

• Compared to a survey held in February 2012, Ukrainians’ positive attitude toward Russia has decreased slightly — from 86% to 83% (although the difference is statistically significant).
• In terms of regional distribution the biggest part of positively minded Ukrainians is concentrated in the Southern (91%) and Eastern (90%) regions; the smallest part is in the Western region (63%). In the Central area positive attitude toward Russia makes up 87%.
• The opposite situation we have in Russia. The attitude of Russians toward Ukraine has significantly changed in six months. The number of positive-minded Russians increased by 10% — from 64% to 74%. The situation was commented by Deputy Director of Levada Center, Mr. Alexei Grazhdankin: "Russian population’s attitude toward Ukraine became somewhat worse at the beginning of this year along with attitude toward other countries (perhaps due to the buildup by the main television channels fears about the “orange threat” to come from abroad to support mass protests against the falsification of elections to the State Duma); it resumed by July, and has reached its maximum positive values since the late 90s by September (except December 2004, when a brief period of euphoria took place what was caused by the message of the victory of Viktor Yanukovych in the second round of presidential elections). Perhaps this rise is associated with the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the "Law of the language" as well as with the expected victory of the Party of Regions in the parliamentary elections and, therefore, continuing of “getting closer to Russia” policy by the country management.”
• Number of negative minded Russians has dropped from 25% in February to 17% in September, 2012. In Ukraine the number of negative-minded toward Russia increased from 9% to 11%.

Dynamics answers of Russians and Ukrainians to the following question: "What relations would you like to see between Ukraine and Russia?"

• Both Ukrainian and Russians population’s majority of respondents would like to see both countries independent but friendly states, with open borders without visas and customs (in Ukraine — 72%, in Russia — 60%). In Ukraine, this number increased by 3% during last six months, in Russia it has not changed.
• Compared to February, the number of Russians who would like to have a separate relationship with Ukraine with closed borders, visas and customs has decreased from 20% to 14%. The number of Ukrainians who support the idea above hes insignificantly decreased from 13% in February to 11% in September.
• It were more Ukrainians than Russians who wanted to see both countries united into one big state during past years. However, the situation began to change. Six months ago, we had equal numbers of those, who desire unification in both countries (16%), now there are more Russians (20%) who support the beforementioned idea than Ukrainians (14%).

Application

Figure 1. Dynamics of attitudes of citizens of Ukraine and Russia toward each other

Figure 2. Dynamics of desire to unite into a single state in Ukraine and Russia,%