MOSCOW - Most Russians still disapprove of the breakup of the former USSR, believing that it could have been avoided, but few suggested that the former Soviet Union be restored in its previous form, according to sociologists.
Over the past two years the number of Russians regretting the break-up of the USSR has dropped from 60% to 53%, and the share of those with the opposite view has risen by 4% (from 28% to 32%), the Yury Levada Analytical Center told Interfax on Wednesday.
The nostalgia reached its peak in December 2000 (75% regretted, 19% did not), and its level has been gradually decreasing ever since, according to the findings of many years of social research.
In November 2011, more than half (53%) said the break-up of the Soviet Union could have been avoided, a third (33%) were certain the collapse was inevitable, the rest (14%) could not express an opinion on this question, the Levada Center said.
The most regrettable thing about the break-up of the USSR is the loss of the system of economic links between the former republics (48%), the loss of "a sense of belonging to a great power" (45%), growing distrust (41%), forced breakup of ties with friends and relatives (34%) and so on.
Asked which form of relationship between the former Soviet republics they would support, 26% respondents pointed to voluntary unification of the republics into closer unions, 18% called for a closer unification of all the post-Soviet republics similar to the European Union.
The restoration of the USSR in its previous form was suggested by 14% respondents, while 16% want the CIS to remain in its present form.
Twelve percent insist on the need for independent existence of all the former Soviet republics.
As regards Russia’s current relations with its CIS neighbors, 57% respondents called them friendly, neighborly and calm.
A third of respondents (34%) said they were lukewarm and even tense.
The leaders of the three Soviet Slavic republics – Russia, Ukraine and Belarus – met in Viskuli in Belavezhskaya Puscha (Belarus) 20 years ago, on Dec. 8, 1991.
They signed an agreement to form the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), thus effectively ending the existence of the USSR.
On Dec. 25, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev announced that he was stepping down as the Soviet President.
On the same night, the Soviet flag at the dome of the Kremlin Palace was replaced by the Russian tricolor flag.
