Russian Stereotypes about Different Countries - Introduction

Stereotypes often shape the way; people see other people and countries. Other people are complicated, and it is expediate to simplify them into some easy to digest and understand stereotype. Sometimes these stereotypes are very far from reality, but they often hold powerful sway over people, nonetheless. Like Myth of Liberator Gorbachev continues to re-appear even in more informed videos.

Thus, I decided to write a comprehensive article about myth that persist in Russia about various countries in the world. I do know that many of it is vastly inaccurate and does not reflect reality of people in question. However, these are the thing Russian media, education and even entertainment perpetrate. Thing average guy on the streets of Moscow or Ekaterinburg likely to believe.

It is important to understand these stereotypes, as some of Russian geo-political actions, such as war in Ukraine as well as people's reaction to it, are direct consequence of these myth. 

Former USSR

I will begin with former USSR. 15 Soviet Republics, united in an "unbreakable brotherly union" were a common theme of various "educational" propaganda. United, but with their own unique colorful characteristics, similar to four countries of the UK. They are often grouped together in geographically related groups: Baltic trio, Slavic trio, Caucasian trio, Central Asia, Moldova on its own.

Slavic and Baltic trios represented the "us vs them" dichotomy: Slav trio is Russia's extended family; Baltics, and especially Latvia, is an example the collective West as it is understood by people in Russia.