RUSSIA THE EURASIAN CUSTOMS UNION AND THE EU COOPERATION STAGNATION OR RIVALRY?

PUBLIC OPINION
Comparing the EU and the Customs Union countries, where do you think the people are…?
% of citizens polled
In the EU
countries
In the CU
countries
Both, equally
Hard to say
More generous, friendly, cordial 25.1 22.8 44.5 7.6
More socially active and caring 41.5 14.7 34.2 9.7
More cultured 47.6 11.2 32.2 9.0
More moral 30.7 19.8 35.5 13.9
Have a stronger sense of dignity 42.1 14.1 32.5 11.3
Mentally more kindred with people in Ukraine 8.2 64.3 18.6 9.0
Why do you think we SHOULD join the EU?*
% of those willing to join
Life will get better, living standards will increase,
we will secure a better life for our children and
grandchildren
The living standards in the EUare higher than in
Ukraine
Since Europe is technologically and socially more
developed than Ukraine, accession to the EU will
speed up Ukraine’s development
21.4
21.0
10.8
It will promote economic reforms, development
of economy, industry
10.1
This will give Ukrainian citizens a possibility of
visa-free travel across the EU countries
7.6
The European social model is more attractive 7.0
This will reduce unemployment 6.3
Corruption will decline 3.7
In the EU countries, they respect the law 3.5
Hard to say/no answer 5.9
* Cited are only the answers given by more than 3% of respondents.
Why do you think we SHOULD join the Customs Union
of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan?*
% of those willing to join
We are all Slavs with a common history 40.9
This will restore economic ties,
economic partnership
18.2
We are neighbours 11.6
This will give Ukraine access to cheap energy
resources
7.1
This will give stability, as in the Soviet times 7.1
Ukraine will access markets for its products 6.0
This will give benefits to Ukraine 4.5
This will improve the situation in Ukraine 4.0
Hard to say 3.9
* Cited are only the answers given by more than 3% of respondents.
Why do you think we SHOULD NOT join the EU?*
% of those willing to join
We are not wanted in the EU 18.7
Our people are not adapted and ready
to live in the EU
14.3
Today, the EU is in crisis, it will tear the Union apart 13.3
Ukraine will be dependent on EU countries 10.3
Ukraine should independently develop its
economy and go its own way
Ukraine and Europe have different mentality,
culture, different level of development,
they are not like us
9.7
9.2
We should make friends with Russia, not Europe 4.9
This will destroy Ukrainian manufacturers,
Ukraine will become a raw-material appendage
for Europe
3.4
Ukraine will see no good from that 3.2
Hard to say/no answer 8.2
* Cited are only the answers given by more than 3% of respondents.
Why do you think we SHOULD NOT join the Customs
Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan?*
% of those willing to join
In the Customs Union, Ukraine will always stay
in the shade of the “big brother”, Russia will
command us
19.6
They will create another USSR 19.1
This will give Ukraine nothing, the Customs
Union has no future
Low living standards in the Customs Union
countries, similar social problems in Ukraine
and the CU. Russia is an economically
backward country
This will result in Ukraine losing
its independence
Ukraine should develop independently,
build its economy and go its own way
16.3
9.9
8.3
7.1
Hard to say/no answer 10.8
* Cited are only the answers given by more than 3% of respondents.
RAZUMKOV CENTRE • NATIONAL SECURITY & DEFENCE • №4-5, 2013 • 117