agreed that the sanctions do "mutual harm" to both Russia and the western nations that impose them.

While some in Russia's economy have gotten a boost with the election of US President Donald Trump — oligarchs have gained as much as $29bn (£23.8 bn) due to increases in the value of Russian currency and stocks — the country is looking at an era of low-growth stagnation.

The Russian ruble sank sharply against the American dollar when the sanctions were announced in 2014. While recent increases only put the Ruble at near half the value it held in 2013, the currency still offers less value around the world, making it much harder for Russia to import quality goods from elsewhere.

Some cast doubt on the idea that Russians are actually happy withthe current situation. "I think most people would be quite anxious to give the correct answer to a telephone enquiry asking: 'what do you think about sanctions?' said Sir Andrew Wood, the UK's former ambassador to Moscow, now an Associate Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House.

"They're also being asked to say at the same time whether or not they would correct Russia's foreign policy," Wood said of the poll. "But you wouldn't want to say too readily in an answer saying 'well, I think we ought to give Crimea back.'"

The poll showed that 59% of Russians said they are "willing to endure some difficulties in the current economic situation for the continuation of Russia's foreign policy in Ukraine."

A good indicator of Russia's long-term economic