Image of Russia Viewed by the Ex-pats Abroad

Abstract

The article analyses the strength of socio-cultural ties of Russian compatriots. The publication is based on the study conducted by VCIOM in European countries (Germany, Latvia, Moldavia, and Ukraine) and commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2008. The author traces the level of awareness of compatriots about the situation in Russia, their interest towards developments in the country. The majority of compatriots keep a sharp eye on the situation in Russia and Russian politics on the international arena. The level of approval of the Russian authorities by compatriots is quite high and comparable to the domestic level of approval. The author put more attention to the preferable forms of state support for Russian compatriots living abroad.