Russians support government's line on Caucasus, experts believe

On the threshold of the fifth anniversary of the 2008 war, the independent Levada polling centre conducted a research of Russians' attitudes to the country's recognition of the Georgian breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

40 percent of the people supported the recognition. However, 50 percent believe that Russia has gained (or lost) nothing as a result of the move. 48 percent say they sympathize with Georgia, while 40 precent have a negative approach to the country.

According to deputy head of the Institute for CIS Research, Vladimir Zharikhin, Russians, who very often distrust the government, support its position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "The figures prove that the people support the official line on the Caucasus," he said.

Leonid Gusev, member of the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Affairs, says that the attitude to the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia seems stable. Russians believe that everything should be done to prevent another war.

The head of the International Institute for Political Expertise, Yevgeny Minchenko, underlines that even though the figures published by the Levada centre seem authentic, many serious issues are not covered in the media.

"Some Russians living in Abkhazia are facing serious problems. Funds allocated to South Ossetia are often embezzled, and we don't know who is responsible for that," he said.