Image Credentials: Image Title: Russians No Longer View U.S. as Top Enemy, New Poll Reveals Shifting Attitudes Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
June 10, 2025 | By Staff Writer, International Affairs with Agencies
In a striking shift in public sentiment, Russians are no longer overwhelmingly naming the United States as their country’s chief adversary, according to a new survey by the independent Levada Center. The findings signal a potential thaw in Cold War-era hostilities that have long shaped Russia’s foreign policy narrative, even as broader pessimism about the West remains deeply entrenched.
The survey, conducted from May 22 to 28 among 1,613 Russian adults, shows that only 40% of respondents now view the U.S. as hostile, down sharply from 76% just one year ago. For the first time in over two decades, more Russians now perceive Germany (55%), the United Kingdom (49%), and Ukraine (43%) as more antagonistic than the U.S.
Putin–Trump dialogue led to historic shift in Russian public opinion. 🇷🇺🇺🇸
• Russians naming the U.S. as “hostile” dropped from 75% to 40% ⁰• Support for normalizing ties with the West jumped from 52% to 80%
Dialogue works. People listen.
Major deescalation opportunity. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/hiViETtuSZ
— Kirill A. Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) June 8, 2025
New Adversaries, Old Sentiments
The data reveals a changing perception of Russia’s geopolitical rivals. Poland (37%), France (32%), and the Baltic states of Lithuania and Latvia (28%) follow closely behind on the list of nations considered adversarial. Ukraine, with which Russia has been at war since 2022, saw a modest rise in hostility ratings, from 68% in February to 74% in the latest poll.
Meanwhile, traditional allies continue to enjoy strong favor. Belarus tops the list with 80% of respondents naming it a “close ally,” followed by China (64%), Kazakhstan (36%), India (32%), and even North Korea (30%).
Warming to Washington
Perhaps the most surprising development is the dramatic improvement in attitudes toward the United States. In 2024, only 16% of Russians expressed a favorable opinion of the U.S.; today, that number has more than doubled to 37%. The share of those with a negative view of America has simultaneously plunged from 72% to 47%.
Young people under 24 (49%), Muscovites (42%), and Russians who have traveled to Europe (49%) reported the most positive attitudes. In contrast, middle-aged Russians (40–54) and those with no international travel experience held far more negative views.
This softening comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump continues to push for a peace deal to end the Ukraine conflict, an initiative that, while so far unsuccessful, appears to be resonating with segments of the Russian public.
Cold Peace with the West
Despite improving views of the U.S., Russians remain largely skeptical about broader Western relations. A record 66% said ties with the West will “always be based on mistrust,” with only 25% believing that genuinely friendly relations are possible. Men and older citizens were especially likely to hold cynical views, while younger respondents and those who consume alternative media, such as YouTube, were more optimistic.
Notably, however, a commanding 80% of Russians said that Russia should seek stronger relations with Western nations, the highest level ever recorded by Levada. This reflects a growing practical recognition, even among skeptics, that isolation comes at a cost.
Looking Ahead
The poll suggests a paradox at the heart of Russian public opinion: While suspicion of Western intentions persists, especially in light of the grinding war in Ukraine and heavy casualties on both sides, the desire for diplomatic re-engagement is growing. Whether that desire can be transformed into policy and peace remains to be seen.