The share of Russians favoring a visa and customs regime with Ukraine has reached 39%, the Levada Center told Interfax, adding that this was the highest indicator since March 2008 (19%).
Practically half of respondents (48%) argued that Russia and Ukraine should be independent countries but demonstrate an amicable attitude towards one another and open their borders, free from visas or customs.
Eight percent of 1,600 respondents polled in 137 populated localities in 48 regions on September 23-26 said that Russia and Ukraine should become a single state.
The sociologists also reported worsening sentiment about Ukraine in Russia: 26% of respondents have positive feelings for Ukraine, compared to 33% a year ago and 69% in 2013.
More than half of Russians (56%) feel negative about Ukraine (23% in 2013). Some 17% were undecided.
As before, most Russians (83%) support Crimea’s unification with Russia (84% a year ago), while 13% disagree (12% a year ago).
The situation in eastern Ukraine was described as tense by two-thirds of respondents (61%), critical and explosive by 18%, and calm and favorable by 13%. Nine percent of respondents were undecided.
Speaking of possible developments in eastern Ukraine in the upcoming year, practically half of respondents (48%) said they did not expect any change, 25% expected the situation to worsen, 11% were hopeful of an improvement, and 16% did not give a definitive answer.
