Vladimir Putin's Russia is losing support abroad in the wake of the Ukraine war. © IMAGO/Mikhail Klimentyev
The war in Ukraine is causing enormous economic damage to Russia. Another consequence is that Russia seems to be losing support in its direct sphere of influence.
Moscow - With the Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has isolated himself and his country from many countries around the world. Diplomatic relations between Western countries and Russia are strained, and Putin and his supporters are telling the Russian people that "the West" is waging a war against Russia.
The American polling institute Gallup has now conducted a poll, the results of which suggest that Russia is losing support not only in Germany and Great Britain, but also in the former satellite states of the Soviet Union.
Ukraine war: Russia destroys its own influence in Eastern Europe
Gallup concluded that "in large parts of the region where Russia has the most power and influence, the actions of the country are causing its status and prestige to erode." Even before the Ukraine war, countries such as the Baltic states or Poland were not characterized by thinking much of Moscow. However, there are other former Soviet states that are an integral part of Russia's geopolitical strategy. This is the case in Belarus, for example, where Russian soldiers are repeatedly stationed during the war.
However, even states that used to be more sympathetic to Russia are increasingly critical of Moscow and the Kremlin. Gallup, for example, reports that more former allies of Russia now look negatively at Russia than allies who look positively at Russia. For example, satisfaction with the Russian government in Armenia fell by 2021 percentage points from 2022 to 13. At the same time, dissatisfaction increased by 20 percentage points.
Ukraine war: Russia could lose sight of its role in its direct sphere of influence
In Azerbaijan, too, only 23 percent of respondents are satisfied with the Russian government, while 46 percent are dissatisfied. As recently as 2019, the figures were 60 and 27 percent. According to the polling institute, Russia would lose sight of its previous role in the region: mediator and power broker.
"Governments in these countries may see the Ukraine war as an opportunity to gain more autonomy, as Russia can trade less. The mood in the respective countries could also be due to corresponding communication from the governments in the countries," it continues. However, there are also countries where satisfaction with the Russian government remains extremely high, such as Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. (lp)
