nuclear-news

Russian public wary on nuclear disarmament

More than a quarter of Russians (27 percent) said the pact benefited the entire world.

Most of Russians against nuclear disarmament – poll | Russia | RIA Novosti, 15 July 2010, The majority of Russians (60 percent) are against further nuclear disarmament, with numbers in favor dropping significantly since the end of the Soviet era, the Russia Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) said on Thursday.Half of Russians believe the country needs nuclear weapons to assure its security in case of war, according to VTsIOM’s latest survey. A quarter said nuclear weapons should be preserved to demonstrate Russia’s political power, with only 4 percent saying the stockpile is needed to counter U.S. military potential…..

When asked who benefited more from the signing of a new arms cuts treaty between Russia and the United States, 33 percent said both countries, 22 percent answered Washington, and 4 percent said Russia. More than a quarter of Russians (27 percent) said the pact benefited the entire world.

The treaty, signed by the Russian and U.S. presidents in Prague in April, stipulates that the number of nuclear warheads is to be reduced to 1,550 on each side, while the number of deployed and non-deployed delivery vehicles must not exceed 800 on each side. The document, which is now being considered by the two countries’ parliaments, is to replace the START 1 treaty that expired in December 2009.

A total of 1600 people in 140 localities across Russia took part in the poll. The statistical margin of error is 3.4 percent.

MOSCOW, July 15 (RIA Novosti)

Most of Russians against nuclear disarmament – poll | Russia | RIA Novosti

July 16, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Russia, weapons and war