Образы Евросоюза в России: проблемы восприятия

Abstract

The study, implemented at the Chair of Sociology and Psychology of Politics, Department of Political Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University is focused on the image of EU in the minds of Russians at the moment of crisis in EU-Russia relations, when sanctions were imposed on Russia. Authors applied politico-psychological methodology in their study to reveal not only rational, but also unconscious levels of the EU images. Authors present data that gives answers to the following questions: Do respondents regard EU a partner, a friend or an enemy? To what extent this organization is regarded as a strong and effective actor in international relations? Should we build relations with EU as a unit or rather deal with individual European states? How do Russians evaluate EU sanctions against their country? Analysis of the answers to these and other questions led authors to certain conclusions. EU image in Russian society is ambivalent and unstable. The majority of respondents see the EU as a strong but gradually weakening “decorative union” due to American influence. The image contains indicators of “aging”. The majority of respondents regard EU as a partner, but they are disappointed in it being such an unreliable and deceiving one. About a quarter of respondents consider EU to be an enemy; only a few see it as a friend. At the same time, respondents regard Russia as an integral part of Europe and stand for the one and only scenario of its future – neighborhood and partnership relations with EU.