Summary
Views gathered through ECFR focus groups, and complemented by sociological surveys, suggest Russians see little prospect of influencing the war in Ukraine and are mostly content to keep their heads down.
Understanding of why Europeans oppose the war and support Ukraine is weak, even though Russians otherwise follow what is going on in the world.
While America has lost its position as an arch-enemy, opinion towards Europe has toughened. China is seen as a self-interested ally that is biding its time. But the expectation—and wish—is that relations with Europe can warm sooner than those with the US.
Although it is hard to communicate with Russian society directly, Europeans should invest in ways of having their messages heard at least indirectly. One day, Vladimir Putin will be gone, but Russia will always be Europe’s neighbour.

https://ecfr.eu/publication/bewitched-sleep-russians-views-on-ukraine-and-the-world/