Allison Quinn — Vast Majority of Russians Think Foreign Media Criticize Putin to Weaken Russia

The overwhelming majority of Russians view negative foreign media coverage of President Vladimir Putin and of Russia in general as an attempt to destabilize the country, pollster VTsIOM revealed Wednesday. 

The poll revealed that 87 percent of respondents see such ulterior motives in critical remarks released by foreign media outlets. A mere 4 percent of respondents said such criticism was intended to improve the country's situation. 

Of the 1,600 people polled, 82 percent said those who condemn Putin's policies want to see the Russian government's collapse. 

Similarly, 87 percent of respondents said they considered such criticism of Putin to be baseless, while the same number said such comments were a result of the Russian president following policies independently of the rest of the international community.

The Moscow Times

Vast Majority of Russians Think Foreign Media Criticize Putin to Weaken Russia
Allison Quinn

Note: The Moscow Times is liberal-opposition newspaper.