48% of Lviv oblast residents say Ukraine’s entry in NATO will pose a threat to Russia

September30200820:38

Speaking in a press conference in Lviv Sept. 30, political expert Oleh Soskin said about 73% of Lviv oblast residents would support in a referendum the entry in NATO. “Support for the entry in NATO does not depend on social and demographic factors and awareness of respondents,” O. Soskin concluded.

According to Oleh Soskin, he was surprised to learn that 48% of respondents polled by the Hromadska dumka foundation believe that Ukraine’s accession to NATO will pose a threat to Russia. “It shows that Lviv oblast residents are aware that the entry will mar the relations with Russia. But, based on the example of the Baltic states, I can assure you that the relations tend to stabilize in the end,” he noted.

“We can accurately set the level of support for NATO among Ukrainians. It is no less than 40%. To raise awareness among Ukrainians, we will implement a course on European Integration at schools and universities, O. Soskin added.

Comment by ZIK

A survey titled “Public opinion of Lviv oblast residents on integration development of Ukraine and prospects for entry in NATO” was run by the Hromadska dumka foundation from Aug. 20 through Sept. 4. The poll involved 1600 respondents in various age groups. Pollsters interviewed the residents in their homes. The permissible error in +/- 2.8%.
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Comments

09:0205.10.08 Concerned American
- Russian in US, Sec of State Rice advised Georgia to refrain from trying to stabilize S. Ossetia. Your charge is ridiculous. And we do not care? We send them $1 Billion and support their admission into NATO.
  Ukraine and Georgia need to join NATO because of Russia's aggression. They have put boycotts on Estonia, burned Georgia, broken agreements with Ukraine, raised prices, given out passports, tried to populate parts of other soverign nations, and needs to learn respect for their neighbors.
  Russia has access to the Black Sea, so why does it need military in Georgia and Ukraine too?
08:2705.10.08 Russian in US
- Ukraine is being used by the US and NATO. No one in US cares about Europe (and especially Eastern Europe). Just look at their reaction to Georgia! Bush and Cheney pressured Saakashvili to attack S. Osetia with no regard for human lives.
  Once in NATO, Ukraine will be used as a launching pad for any potential attacks on Russia. In Crimea, US 4th Fleet will quickly replace Russian Fleet. Meanwhile, Russia will close its border and economy to Ukraine (or at lease severly limit access to it). If you think that a wink from US is worth ruining your relationship with Russia, you are strongly misstaken!
00:5403.10.08 Concerned American
- Of course Russia would feel threatened by sharing the Black Sea with NATO countries (Ukraine and Georgia). But, in my opinion, that would be the best way to help prevent Russia from threatening its neighbors. I hope Lviv and Ternopil oblasts will (once again) lead the way. Russia needs to learn respect for other countries and I think NATO is the only way that will be accomplished.