82% of Israelis have a negative attitude towards Russia: a new Pew Research Center survey destroys myths about the “Russian world in Israel”

Pew Research: Israel strongly condemns Russia

A Pew Research Center study found that 82% of Israeli citizens view Russia negatively. NAnews analyzes data from a survey covering 31,938 people in 25 countries, including assessments of putin, Zelensky, and NATO.

According to a large-scale international poll conducted by Pew Research Center between January 8 and April 26, 2025, 82% of Israelis expressed a negative view of Russia.

This is one of the highest rates in the world. The survey was published by Pew Research Center on June 23, 2025.

Only in Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Australia, and Germany is Russia viewed more negatively.

The poll surveyed 31,938 adults across 25 countries, including the U.S., Germany, Canada, India, Turkey, and Israel. Data was collected before Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory and before the latest round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Anti-Russian sentiment dominates in Europe and Israel

Russia is viewed most negatively in:

• Sweden – 93% (78% “very negative”)
• Poland – 90% (70% “very negative”)
• Netherlands – 89% (66% “very negative”)
• Australia – 92% (65% “very negative”)
• Germany – 84% (60% “very negative”)
• Israel – 82% (54% “very negative”)

Where Russia retains support

Russia is viewed positively only in:

• Indonesia – 64%
• India – 49% (with one-third undecided)

In Mexico and Nigeria, opinions are roughly divided.

Global distrust of putin

In half of the countries, distrust of putin exceeds 84%. In Europe, the figure reaches 90–95%, especially in Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Where support for putin grows

• Hungary – increase from 23% to 32%
• Italy – growth among supporters of “Lega” and “Brothers of Italy”
• Germany – 47% of “AfD” party supporters have a positive view of putin

Pew Research notes that sympathy for putin correlates with support for Donald Trump. Among U.S. Republicans, trust in putin is higher, though it does not exceed 17%.

Volodymyr Zelensky: mixed ratings

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky receives mixed assessments. In half the countries, trust in him is above 45%; in the other half — below.

Where trust in Zelensky is growing

• Germany – 64% (up by 10 percentage points)
• Netherlands – 74%
• Canada – 66%
• Sweden – 85%

Where trust is low

• Argentina – 24%
• Greece – 20% (80% distrust — a record low)
• Italy – 32%
• Turkey – 27%
• Hungary – 23%

In the U.S., Zelensky is mainly supported by Democrats, while Republicans tend to distrust him. In Germany, only 25% of AfD supporters trust Zelensky, compared to 76% of the general public.

Pew Research notes that trust in Zelensky in 2025 returned to 2023 levels after a temporary dip in 2024. The survey was conducted before Russia’s new mass attacks and before Operation “Web”.

Russia, the USA and NATO: Global Perceptions

The median positive view of Russia stands at just 19 %, while the median negative view is 79 %. In several countries, young people and right-leaning voters sympathize with Russia more often than older respondents; the gap reaches 15–20 percentage points.

The United States is losing some popularity, yet it is still viewed more favorably than Russia in 21 of the 25 countries surveyed. In Mexico, Türkiye and Nigeria, attitudes toward Russia and the USA are roughly the same.

NATO enjoys broadly positive ratings in member states. The highest level of approval is in Poland (81 %), followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. In Türkiye and Greece, skepticism prevails and has recently intensified.

Context and Significance of the Findings

The survey was conducted before the spring escalation that saw mass missile strikes on Ukraine and the Ukrainian operation “Pautyna” (“Spider Web”) inside Russia. Experts note that results could change if attitudes are measured later.

For Israel, the figure of 82 % negative views of Russia clearly signals public awareness of the threats posed by Putin’s policies. It also underscores solidarity with Ukraine as a nation fighting for its right to statehood—just as Israel once did.

Article prepared by the editorial staff of NAnews – News of Israel.

What Is the Pew Research Center?

Pew Research Center is an independent American research institute specializing in public-opinion polling and the analysis of social, political, religious and international trends.

• Founded in 1996; operating in its current form since 2004.
• Headquartered in Washington, DC.
• Non-partisan and does not take policy positions.
• Funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
• Renowned worldwide for its representative surveys and rigorous data.

Pew Research Center is considered one of the most reliable sources of sociological and analytical data globally.

Table 1. Attitudes Toward Russia in 25 Countries (Pew Research Center, Spring 2025)