Page 29 - RusRPTMar19

Russia 138th out of the 180 countries surveyed, on par with Iran, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Lebanon. Countries at the low end of the TI rankings have typically weak economic and political institutions such as judiciary, media, civil society and public administration. Denmark, New Zealand and Finland have held the top positions in TI’s rankings in recent years.
After being delayed because of the US mid-term elections, the US government is due to resume a debate about imposing “crushing” sanctions on Russia that sent stocks tumbling on February 12. Western nations are close to agreeing new sanctions against Russia in a coordinated push aimed at punishing Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, according to press reports on February 12. Stocks fell by 2% on the news, having already been dragged down by lower oil prices.
The European Union (EU) has agreed new sanctions against Russia following Moscow's attack of the Ukrainian Navy's boats in the Sea of Azov, Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini told reporters on February 18. "I can confirm that there is political consensus on some further measures to be taken – personal, targeted sanctions," Interfax news agency quoted Mogherini as saying in Brussels. "I believe the formal adoption of the legal acts will be finalised in the coming days."
2.17 Polls & Sociology
The possibility of Russia's war with other countries is considered to be real 56% of those surveyed by the Levada Center, RBC writes, citing a study conducted in mid-December. Doubts about the reality of the military threat were shown by 39% of the respondents. The centre has conducted similar studies since 2000. The peak of fears fell on January 2015, when 68% of respondents believed in the risk of war. The survey was conducted after the annexation of the Crimea, in the midst of the conflict in Ukraine. After this, fears gradually decreased. 88% of respondents believe in the ability of the Russian army to protect the country in the event of a military threat from other states. True, among those who believe in the war, 17% do not exclude the use
29 RUSSIA Country Report March 2019 www.intellinews.com