Most Russians are not going to support any side in an armed conflict between the United States and Iran. 17 percent of the respondents to the poll held by Levada Center company called the United States a definite threat to the world and 40 percent said it was likely so. 9 percent said Iran was the threat, 33 said it was likely so.
Speaking on Russias role in a possible conflict, 35 percent said they wanted Russia to become a mediator, 27 expressed the point it was better not to intervene, 18 percent said it was preferable to maneuver between the sides acting in its own interest. Only 6 percent proposed to support Iran, and 3 percent to support the United States.
Most Russians asked by the pollster said they supported both sides in the Middle East conflict (32 percent) or did not support any of them (33 percent). 37 percent declined to answer this question. Nine percent said they supported the Palestine Authority, 6 percent preferred to support Israel. 43 percent said Russian authorities should keep in touch with Hamas that is now at the power in the Palestinian autonomy, 44 percent declined to answer what policy Russia should hold.
On the contrary, most of the respondents said Russia should not keep away from the conflicts in the restive Georgian breakaway territories, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 58 percent said Russia should not withdraw its troops from the areas. Over 30 percent considered those territories part of Russia.
53 percent of respondents said Russia should find allies in Europe. 48 percent named CIS countries as the most possible allies for Russia.