"Whose victory in the Ukrainian presidential poll, do you think, will promote Russian interests the greatest?" was one question.
Victor Yanukovich's, said 18 per cent of the respondents. Victor Yuschenko, his closest rival, scored 7 per cent. 5 per cent mentioned other hopefuls. "That's the same," said 21 per cent, and "None," 28 per cent. "It's hard to say," was another 21 per cent of replies.
Russians certainly prefer Yanukovich, with 18 per cent against 7 in a similar probe of last August. Yuschenko retains the same sympathisers-7 per cent now, and 5 per cent, August. A comparison of the two probes shows Russian public interest in the election rising the closer it is.
The other question ran, "Would you like to add Ukrainian citizenship to your Russian?" The answers came as follows:
"I don't want it," 80 per cent.
"I'd like it," 17 per cent.
"I am not sure," 3 per cent.
Thus, 17 per cent of total respondents approve the dual citizenship idea. The percentage was somewhat larger in federal districts Centre and South, which border on Ukraine.
This month's probe involved 1,500 respondents in 102 urban and rural settlements in all Russian federal districts.
