MOSCOW - Most Russians (83 percent) are more or less aware of the message from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who apologized for downing a Russian bomber, yet 79 percent believe that the apology was made too late, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said.
Sixteen percent of the 1,600 respondents polled in 130 populated localities in 46 regions on July 2-3 heard about the message from sociologists.
Ten percent said that, “most probably, the apology was accepted in due time, not too early and not too late,” and 2 percent called it premature. Nine percent of respondents were undecided.
Respondents believe that the conflict was a losing situation for Turkey (61 percent) rather than for Russia (4 percent). Less than a third (27 percent) maintained that both sides suffered equal losses, and another 8 percent were hesitant.
In the opinion of 74% of respondents, relations with Turkey should be restored on more advantageous terms for Russia. Fourteen percent argued “it is possible to accept the pre-conflict terms.” Twelve percent could not answer the question.
Respondents described Russia’s reaction to the downing of its military plane by Turkey as quite adequate (43 percent) or even insufficient (42 percent), but not excessive (5 percent). Ten percent were undecided.
Some 71 percent of respondents believe Russia can agree to normalize relations only after Turkey meets every condition (pays compensation and punishes the culprits). Yet 16 percent argue “it is permissible to improve relations right now, without waiting for every demand to be met.” Thirteen percent were undecided.
After having received Erdogan’s letter apologizing for the downed plane, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the government on June 29 to start to restore trade and economic relations with Ankara.
On June 30, Putin signed a decree cancelling restrictions on Turkish tours and ordered the government to work on lifting the ban on charter flights between the two counties. He also ordered the government to hold negotiations with the Turkish government on bilateral economic relations.
