Russophilia

[ruhs-uh-fahyl]

Russophilia is the love of Russia and/or Russians. The term is used in two basic contexts: in international politics and in cultural context. "Russophilia" and "Russophilic" are the terms used to denote pro-Russian sentiments, usually in politics and literature.

Russophilia in Western culture

Love of Russians (or at least admiration) in Western may be based on stereotypes produced by mass-culture ("traditional Russian hospitality", "Russian tenderness" etc.), as well as on in-depth study of Russian mentality, as expressed, e.g., by American author Robert Alexander: "I love Russians for their dramatic, emotional nature. They're not afraid to love, not afraid to get hurt, not afraid to exaggerate or act impulsively."

In October 2004, the International Gallup Organization announced the results of its poll,, according to which approximately 20% of the residents of Western Europe viewed Russia positively, with the most positive view coming from Iceland, Greece, and Britain. The percentage of respondents expressing a positive attitude towards Russia was 9% in Finland, Turkey, and Japan, 38% in Lithuania, 36% in Latvia, and 34% in Estonia. Lithuania, Estonia and especially Latvia have a large number of ethnic Russian, which is likely to affect the result.

Russophilia in modern Ukraine

Some Ukrainian citizens, mostly in the east and south of the country, would like to a see a more Russophile attitude of the government, ranging from closer economic partnership to full national union.

Russophilia in Western Ukraine

Russophilia (Moscophilia, Ukrainian: москвофільство, moskvofil’stvo) is a linguistic, literary and socio-political movement in the Western Ukrainian territories of Galicia, Transcarpathia, and Bukovyna in the 18th - 20th centuries. Proponents of this movement believed in linguistic, cultural, social union with Russian people and later in state union with Russia. Among the causes for the emergence of this phenomenon were the loss of Ukrainian statehood, centuries of foreign oppression, fragmented Ukrainian territories and dispersed population, as well as the defection of national elite to neighbouring cultures and a weak sense of national identity.

Russophile Movement in Transcarpathia

The first instances of Russophilia in Transcarpathia date back as far as late 18th early 19th centuries when several famous Russians with ties to the government and the court of the tsar settled there. Such famous scientists and social activists as I. Orlai, M. Baludiansky, P. Lodiy and others lived in Transcarpathia and maintained close ties with the country of their birth and thereby promoted interest towards Russia, especially towards its cultural life, its language and literature.

Russophile Movement in Galicia and Bukovyna

When Galicia and Bukovyna were incorporated into the Habsburg Empire in 1772 the Austrian government treated the Ukrainian population of these territories with suspicion as it was afraid it was susceptible to Russian influence due to the closeness of Ukrainian and Russian languages and cultures. This mistrust of the authorities was cultivated by influential Polish politicians and activists in an effort to forestall the growth of national consciousness on territories where Poles traditionally had influence. Any attempt at cultural revival was met with hostility from the Austrian government which regarded them as an influence from Moscow. In spite of this atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion the first educational establishment "The Fellowship of Priests" was founded in Przemyśl. Metropolitan M. Levytsky began to introduce the Ruthenian language in elementary schools, developed grammar books, insisted on instruction in University in Ruthenian and founded "Ruska Troyka" Society. The Lemko-Rusyn Republic, after World War I, attempted to join Lemko territories to Russia, and later to similar Russophile areas of the newly-formed Czechoslovakia.

Russophilia in Serbia

Russia is seen by many Serbs as Serbia's traditional ally. Russian Empire supported Serbian struggle against Ottomans during First Serbian Uprising in 1804. Ottoman Empire crushed the rebellion in 1813, after Napoleon invaded Russia.

Serbia declared war on Turkey in 1876, Serbian army helped by Russian volunteers suffered several crushing defeats from the Turks. In 1877 Russia declared war upon Turkey, act which started Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

After Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Russia ordered full mobilization and entered the war just 3 days later. This act started World War 1.

During Yugoslav wars, Russia politicaly supported Milošević's regime, but did not help Serbia militarily. Number of Russian volunteers participated on the Serbian side during the wars, especialy in Kosovo war.

More recently, Russia has rejected the Kosovo declaration of independence and considers it illegal. Russia considers Kosovo as a province of Serbia.

A poll made by Marsh in 2003. shows that 93.68% of Serbs see Russia as a traditional friend.

The Serbian Radical Party accepts Russophilia as part of its political ideology.