Priming the Costs of Conflict? Russian Public Opinion About the 2014 Crimean Conflict
Journal: International Journal of Public Opinion Research
Year: 2016

Many have argued that the 2014 Russia–Crimea conflict was inflamed by Russia’s hawkish media propaganda, such that it drove Russian public opinion to support Crimea’s annexation, proving consequential for the state’s foreign policy. This study draws on audience costs and the democratic peace literature to contend that media coverage that highlights the diplomatic, military, and economic costs of conflict may reduce hawkish attitudes among the public. Using an original survey of Russian Internet