Poll results: Belarusians’ perception of the West

Chatham House, 03 September 2024

The Belarus Initiative conducted an opinion poll of 827 respondents between 28 June and 3 July 2024.

- Belarusians have limited personal contact with the West. Only 22 per cent of Belarusian urban residents have visited EU countries in the last five years. There is a great demand among Belarusians to visit and study in EU countries, but respondents often note limited access to visas and other restrictions. Belarusians are somewhat reluctant to identify with Western culture, but they do not believe that Western culture affects society negatively.

- The study shows through multiple examples that the more personal ties respondents have with the West, the more likely they are to hold pro-Western and pro-democratic views. Accordingly, with the current decrease in interpersonal ties between Belarus and the West, a decrease in pro-Western attitudes should be expected, but a potential increase in contacts could lead to a significant increase in pro-European views.

- Belarusians do not have a unified idea about the reasons for sanctions introduced against Belarus. Those least close to Europe tend to believe that Western countries are pursuing their own interests, while those closest to Europe more often believe that the sanctions are due to the actions of the regime. At the same time, 62 per cent agree that the sanctions are unfair to ordinary Belarusians.

- Belarusians know little about the West’s positive agenda for Belarus: only a quarter of Belarusians know that the EU has agreed on a plan of investment support for Belarus for several billion euros if the country changes course towards democracy.

- Only 14 per cent of Belarusian urban residents are against the expansion of Belarus' ties with the European Union. At the same time, Belarusians tend to hold a pro-neutral or pro-Russian foreign policy orientation, not perceiving European integration as possible for Belarus at all.

- Belarusians are leaning towards a progressive position on gender issues. The majority does not support the restriction of abortion and only 14 per cent believe that society is not ready to vote for female candidates.