Shocking Poll Reveals Russia’s #1 Enemy – And It’s Not Ukraine or the U.S.!
In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions, public sentiment often mirrors the broader currents of international relations. A recent survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) has unveiled a striking shift in how Russians perceive global powers, with France emerging as the nation viewed as the most hostile, a position it has never held so prominently before. This revelation, coupled with declining animosity toward traditional adversaries like the United States and Ukraine, alongside growing favorability toward nations like China and North Korea, paints a complex picture of Russia’s evolving worldview.
According to the VCIOM survey conducted in May 2025, nearly half of Russians (48%) now consider France the most hostile nation toward their country, a significant leap from the 21% recorded in 2022. The United Kingdom follows closely at 42%, up slightly from 39%, while Germany holds the third spot at 41%, an increase from 32%. Surprisingly, Ukraine, embroiled in conflict with Russia since 2014, ranks fourth at 38%, a decline from 43% three years ago. Even more striking is the United States’ fall to fifth place, with only 27% of Russians viewing it as adversarial, a dramatic drop from 76% in 2022. These figures, drawn from a representative sample of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and above, signal a profound realignment in public sentiment.
The rise of France as Russia’s perceived top adversary is particularly noteworthy. This shift can be attributed to France’s vocal support for Ukraine, including its provision of advanced military aid such as CAESAR howitzers and SCALP-EG missiles. French President Emmanuel Macron’s calls for a stronger European defense posture, including discussions of deploying troops to Ukraine, have likely fueled Russian perceptions of hostility. A 2024 report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) noted that 65% of Europeans view Russia as an adversary, with France among the most outspoken in advocating for continued sanctions and military support for Kyiv. This stance has evidently resonated in Russian public consciousness, amplified by state media narratives framing Western Europe as a unified anti-Russian front.
The United Kingdom and Germany, ranking second and third, respectively, also reflect Russia’s focus on European nations as primary antagonists. The UK’s consistent support for Ukraine, including billions in military and financial aid, and its leadership in imposing sanctions on Russian oligarchs and industries, have cemented its image as a key adversary. Germany, while initially hesitant, has ramped up its military contributions, delivering Leopard 2 tanks and IRIS-T air defense systems, actions that have not gone unnoticed in Moscow. The VCIOM data suggests that Russians now perceive these European powers as more immediate threats than the United States, a shift that may reflect changing geopolitical priorities.
Perhaps the most surprising finding of the VCIOM poll is the sharp decline in negative perceptions of the United States. In 2022, 76% of Russians viewed the U.S. as hostile, a figure rooted in decades of Cold War-era rivalry and exacerbated by Washington’s leadership in imposing sanctions following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. By 2025, however, this figure has plummeted to 27%. Several factors may explain this shift. The election of Donald Trump in 2024 and his administration’s push for a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as evidenced by the U.S. voting against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s actions in February 2025, may have softened Russian perceptions. A Reuters report from February 2025 highlighted Trump’s neutral stance at the UN, aligning the U.S. with Russia, North Korea, and Belarus in opposing a resolution backed by 93 nations, including much of the European Union.
Ukraine’s drop to fourth place, with 38% of Russians viewing it as hostile, is equally significant.
Given the ongoing conflict, one might expect Ukraine to top the list. However, the decline from 43% in 2022 suggests a complex dynamic. Russian state media’s portrayal of the war as a defensive operation against Western aggression may have redirected public ire toward NATO countries like France, the UK, and Germany, rather than Ukraine itself. Additionally, war fatigue among Russians, coupled with narratives of Ukrainian resistance as a Western-orchestrated effort, could explain this shift. A 2022 Washington Post poll indicated that only 58% of Russians supported the invasion, with younger urban dwellers and those facing economic hardship showing less enthusiasm, a trend that may have intensified by 2025.
While Western nations dominate Russia’s list of perceived adversaries, the VCIOM survey also highlights the countries Russians view as their closest allies. China leads with 65% of respondents identifying it as Russia’s strongest partner, followed by Belarus at 41%, India at 26%, and North Korea at 26%. Iran rounds out the top five at 16%. The strong favorability toward China reflects deepening Sino-Russian ties, particularly since the Ukraine conflict began. A 2023 Pew Research Center report noted that China’s neutral stance on the war, coupled with its refusal to join Western sanctions, has bolstered its image in Russia. Trade between the two nations reached $240 billion in 2024, with China becoming Russia’s largest supplier of electronics and energy markets, according to the Institute for International Finance.
The rise in favorable attitudes toward North Korea, from negligible levels in prior years to 26% in 2025, is particularly striking. This shift coincides with increased military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. A 2025 report by the U.S. Army’s China Landpower Studies Center detailed Russia-North Korea collaboration, including the sharing of military technology and lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict. North Korea’s provision of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia, in defiance of UN sanctions, has likely contributed to its improved standing among Russians. Similarly, India’s neutral stance and continued trade with Russia, particularly in oil and fertilizers, have solidified its position as a trusted partner.
The VCIOM findings must be understood within the broader context of Russia’s domestic and international environment. The Russian government’s control over media narratives plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. State-run outlets like RT and Sputnik have consistently framed Western Europe as the primary instigators of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing NATO’s expansion and sanctions as existential threats. A 2024 Consilium report noted that the Russian population, influenced by years of Kremlin propaganda, overwhelmingly approves of the war, with dissenters facing severe penalties. This controlled information environment likely amplifies perceptions of France, the UK, and Germany as hostile, while downplaying the U.S. and Ukraine’s roles.
Economic factors also influence these perceptions. Western sanctions have disrupted Russia’s economy, with inflation reaching 8.5% in 2024 and the ruble depreciating by 20% against the dollar, according to the World Bank. European nations, particularly France and Germany, have been at the forefront of these sanctions, including the EU’s ban on Russian oil and gas imports.
In contrast, China’s economic support, including its purchase of 2.5 million barrels of Russian oil per day in 2024, has mitigated some of these pressures, reinforcing its status as Russia’s closest ally.
The VCIOM poll’s findings have significant implications for international relations. The perception of France, the UK, and Germany as primary adversaries suggests that Russia’s foreign policy will continue to prioritize countering European influence, particularly within NATO and the EU. This could lead to increased Russian efforts to destabilize Europe through cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, or support for far-right movements, as noted in a 2025 ECFR report. Conversely, the decline in hostility toward the U.S. may open a window for diplomatic engagement, particularly under the Trump administration’s peace-oriented approach.
The growing favorability toward North Korea and China underscores Russia’s pivot toward a multipolar world order, where non-Western powers play a central role. This alignment, however, risks further isolating Russia from the global economy, as Western sanctions and trade restrictions continue to bite. A 2025 Statista report estimated that Russia’s GDP growth will slow to 1.2% in 2026, compared to China’s projected 4.8%, highlighting the economic disparity within this emerging bloc.
For Ukraine, the poll’s findings suggest a delicate balancing act. While public support for the war in Russia appears to be waning, the redirection of hostility toward Europe could complicate Kyiv’s efforts to secure continued Western support. A 2025 Ipsos poll found that 53% of Britons support ongoing aid to Ukraine, but 50% express concern about Trump’s policies, indicating potential fractures in Western unity.
The VCIOM survey reveals a Russia at a crossroads, with public perceptions of global adversaries and allies shifting in response to both domestic propaganda and international realities. France’s emergence as the top perceived enemy, alongside the UK and Germany, reflects the growing centrality of Europe in Russia’s geopolitical calculus. Meanwhile, the decline in hostility toward the U.S. and Ukraine, coupled with strengthened ties to China and North Korea, signals a broader realignment toward a multipolar world. These shifts carry profound implications for diplomacy, trade, and security, as Russia navigates an increasingly complex global landscape. As the world watches, the interplay of public opinion and state policy will continue to shape the contours of international conflict and cooperation.
