Russian-American relations in the public opinion of Russia and the USA

The article is devoted to the study of Russian-American relations through prism public opinion both countries. Foreign political views citizens are an important element international politics in modern information society; they directly affect development relations, providing opportunity legitimize and moralize foreign policy decisions world leaders. Based on open secondary data from polls, traces history post-Soviet period. author proves that formation anti-Americanism ideas underlying current reversion consciousness Cold War era was formed by early 2000s. personality President Vladimir Putin his strategy have become decisive for but at same time, negative identification system images “friends enemies” Russians Americans realized value-based ideas, rather than opportunistic situational value judgments. media produces existing crisis agenda, influencing emotional, meaningful response citizens’ opinions. events 2014 triggered long-term a characteristic feature which disparity (asymmetry) mutual perceptions, intensified after 2018. This period also characterized increase ambivalence turbulence opinion, primitivizing its model expression bloc “for — against”, “friend enemy”. For Russians, their stance Ukrainian question alongside sanctions remain key indicators perception America. Americans, such strengthening totalitarianism Russia interference American elections. There no short- medium-term prospects improving