GRANTEE
Public opinion and government policy on the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in countries of so-called Global South differs significantly from that in the West.
A recent study indicates that people in China, India and Turkiye are favorable to the idea of ending the war as soon as possible, even at the expense of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. People in these countries are also inclined to believe that Russia emerges stronger from the war in Ukraine rather than weaker. Not only the historical legacy of their relations with the West/former USSR but also media coverage of Russia’s war in these countries could be potential clues to explaining such differences in public opinion.
The goal of this study is to analyze the media coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in several non-Western countries in order to understand the main takes and angles regarding the war in Ukraine, the most prominent sources of information for their reporting, and the narratives that dominate the media space and resonate with local audiences. The impact of pro-Russian disinformation and influence-peddling on different levels in these societies will also be analyzed.