Russian enthusiasm falls for paying the cost of Crimean annexation

73% of Russians continue to believe the Crimea “should be part of the Russian Federation”, however the percentage of those willing to pay the price for this has dropped from 59 to 50%.  According to the same survey carried out by the Russian Levada Centre from Aug 22-25, more than half (58%) view the negative reaction in the West to Russia’s Ukrainian policy as an attempt to put pressure on Russia while only 13% link it with Russia’s violation of international law.

The number of people viewing Ukraine in a negative light has risen.  So too has awareness that Russia’s annexation of the Crimea has intensified Ukrainian animosity to Russia.

It is worth noting that in all but one place the Levada Centre calls Russia’s annexation of the Crimea ‘reunification’.  While ‘annexation’ is undoubtedly a charged term, it has justification in international law.  ‘Reunification’ does not, but could influence how people answer.

Should the Crimea be a part of Russia, a part of Ukraine, or should it be an independent state?

What feelings are aroused by the decision of Russia’s leadership to reunite the Crimea to the Russian Federation? (more than one answer possible)