Emperor Alexander III said that there are only two reliable friends with Russia: its army and navy. However, the Russians do not lose faith in friendship between nations and in the course of the April poll they called the most friendly countries of Russia.
The survey, initiated by the Public Opinion Foundation, was attended by 1,500 people from 53 regions of the Russian Federation. Of these, only 1% were called friendly countries of the United States, Ukraine and Turkey.
Here are the countries that are in the top ten ranking.
10. France
The homeland of the musketeers as a country sympathetic to Russia was named by 6% of respondents. The 2017 presidential election will probably contribute to the warming of relations between the states, because Marine Le Pen is among the presidential candidates.
9. Iran and Israel
Both countries scored 7% of the respondents. Since Soviet times, Russia has had close relations with Iran. During the Great Patriotic War, the countries conducted active bilateral trade, in the 90s Russia helped develop the Iranian nuclear program, and in 2005 it was Iran’s seventh most important trading partner. In addition, countries are actively cooperating in Syria.
As for the Promised Land, it is worth remembering that more than a million former Soviet citizens live there.
8. Japan and Germany
8% of respondents called these countries friendly with respect to Russia. However, it is not so easy to understand the attitude of the descendants of samurai to the Russians. The courtesy instilled in the Japanese since childhood will not allow them to openly express negative feelings. And if we recall the repeated conflicts of Russia and Japan in the past, it becomes clear why such a small number of respondents consider the Japanese people close.
In Russian-German relations, there were rapprochements and conflicts. The most memorable and bloody of which occurred in 1941-45. At the same time, answering the question about which powers is most important for Russia to cooperate with, Germany was named 22% (4th place).
7. Venezuela
Colorful Venezuela was remembered by 9% of respondents. Relations between countries improved significantly after the start of the presidency of Hugo Chavez. In 2009, Russia and Venezuela abandoned visa regimes; they closely cooperate in the oil and military-technical sectors.
6. Brazil
Sunny Brazil, with 10% of the vote, and Russia share common interests in trade, space and the military. This country is the largest trading partner of the Russian Federation in Latin America. A smiling and cheerful Brazilians are always welcome Russian tourists.
5. Cuba
The island of Dawn Crimson is famous for its cigars, rum, coffee and a good attitude towards Russian tourists. Many older Cubans studied in the USSR, so they have a special attitude to the inhabitants of Russia. The friendliness of Cubans 15% of respondents are sure. There are, however, those who call the Russians "bolos" in the meaning of "rude", "uncouth".
4. India
Have you ever heard the expression «Hindi Russ Bhai Bhai» (“Indians and Russians are brothers”)? This slogan was distributed from the 50s to the 80s of the last century. In the present century, relations between India and Russia are still friendly (26% of respondents think so), especially in the field of science, industry and security. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once stated that every child in India knows: Russia is a best friend.
3. Kazakhstan
Third place in the ranking of the countries most friendly to Russia and 50% of the poll participants. About 4 million Russians live in Kazakhstan, and about a million ethnic Kazakhs live in Russia. The urgent need to establish further economic relations with Kazakhstan was announced by 23% of respondents.
2. China
56% of respondents are sure that the Chinese are not bad with Russians. And that Russia is very profitable to build economic relations with China (49%). Many Chinese are confident that the Russians are generous, stubborn and sincere, but they drink a lot.
1. Belarus
68% of respondents said that Belarus is the most friendly country to Russia. And the importance of economic cooperation was said by 35%. Belarusians are Slavs, a people close to Russians in spirit, with a long common history. And despite the differences between Russian and Belarusian politicians, citizens of the two states respect and sympathize with each other.
