Should Russia become a member of the EU ?

The German TV and Radio Network Deutsche Welle recently did a survey which showed that the ongoing euro crisis appears to have diminished the enthusiasm of the Russian people towards the European Union. They have become much more critical over the past year with regards to Russia's relations with the EU. This is what the current DW-Trend for Russia in June appears to show. Opinion research institute IFAK, on behalf of DW's Russian department, surveyed 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65 living in Russia.

The number of supporters for Russia becoming a member of the EU (38 percent) appears to have stayed the same, but the number of opponents has increased. Almost half of the respondents (47 percent) reject the idea that Russia should join the EU. That is 11 percent more than last year.

Forty percent of those surveyed believe a main objective of the EU is territorial expansion. One in five said it was the development of a universal security system, the same number who believed it was to further European interests in the world. This presents a fundamental problem. Nearly 30 percent of Russians support the development of a common European security system, but few are for the territorial expansion of the EU and furthering European interests globally.

At the same time, Russians do not think their country has an especially positive image within Europe. They believe Russia is seen by many within Europe as a supplier of raw materials and cheap labor (35 percent). Just under a quarter of respondents say Russia is thought of as a reliable strategic partner.

Twenty-two percent of EU Citizens on the other hand were more skeptical, suggesting that Russia, especially within Europe is seen as a wayward superpower with imperial ambitions. This attitude has barely changed since 2011. From the Russian people's point of view, Russia was unable to positively change its image and influence within Europe over the last few months.

Weakness within the European Union has also had an effect on any bilateral relationship between the EU and Russia. In April 2011, 52 percent of those surveyed rated relations as friendly and amicable; current DW-Trend respondents indicate this has dropped to 43 percent.

A significant majority of the Russian population was critical of the decision by some EU politicians not to travel to the Euro 2012 soccer tournament as a protest against human rights abuses in Ukraine. Sixty percent think the decision was wrong, with only 17 percent thinking it was the right thing to do.

Nevertheless more progressive European scholars and politicians believe that eventually the European Union will have to seriously start considering a more independent, stronger, and secure Union by including Russia and Turkey as full fledged members into this equation.

EU-Digest