Only 29% of Russians believe Vladimir Putin's visit to US yielded important results

Only 29% of Russians believe Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the US yielded important results, according to a Public Opinion Fund survey. The survey questioned 1500 Russians and was conducted on October 4. According to the survey, 79% of Russians were aware that Putin recently visited the US and 23% of respondents said that the visit did not yield any important results.

Among the positive results of the meeting of presidents in the US according to respondents was the strengthening of the relationship between the two governments (5%), rapprochement in positions on Iraq (3%), strengthening of financial and economic cooperation (2%), cooperation in the fight against international terrorism (2%), agreement on arms reduction (2%) and strengthening Russia's position in the UN (1%).

It is interesting to note that before the lastest meeting by Putin to the US the portion respondents who related negatively and positively to the US was practically equal. But after the most recent visit, the number of respondents who viewed the US negatively dropped significantly. According to the Public Opinion Fund in June 2003 25% of those questioned related positively to the US, 23% negatively. At the present time, however, 29% relate positively and only 16% relate negatively. Moreover, in June 2003 43% said that related indifferently to the US. But at the present time 50% relate indifferently.