Relations with US not priority for Russians

Relations with US not priority for Russians

WASHINGTON — Only 29 percent of Russians say it is important for Russia and the U.S. to have good relations, according to a Nov. 10 Gallup report.

A majority of Russians (52 percent) say it is important for Russia to act firmly with the U.S., while 7 percent say Russia should terminate all relations with the U.S. The Gallup survey was based on interviews with 2,000 adults in Russia from June 9 to Aug. 20.

U.S. president Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin last met in July. Since then, relations between the two countries have grown increasingly strained. Congress has imposed new sanctions on Russia to punish it for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, and Moscow responded by expelling hundreds of U.S. diplomats.

Support for improving relations between the two countries is highest among Russians aged 60 and older and among those with the highest level of education. (TAB)