VCIOM poll: 80% of Russians see Putin as one of the world's most influential leaders
In short
A VCIOM poll released around Vladimir Putin's birthday found that 80% of Russians consider him one of the most influential world leaders, according to RIA Novosti, TASS, Kommersant and Vedomosti. Kommersant reported that 17% of respondents disagreed. Vedomosti said the same poll found 71% believed Russia had become stronger and more self-confident under his presidency.
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A poll by the Russian analytical centre VCIOM found that 80% of Russians consider President Vladimir Putin one of the most influential world leaders, RIA Novosti, TASS, Kommersant and Vedomosti reported. Kommersant said 17% of respondents did not share that view. Vedomosti said the survey was timed to coincide with Putin's birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The poll also recorded views on the results of his presidency. According to Vedomosti, 71% of respondents said Russia had become stronger and more self-confident during Putin's time in office, 69% said Moscow is now taken more into account on the world stage thanks to his course, and 68% were confident that Russia could overcome all difficulties with him as president. [ 4 ]
Vedomosti noted an earlier VCIOM release dated 18 September, in which 74.2% of Russians said they trusted Putin and 70.1% assessed his work as president positively. [ 4 ]
Putin turned 74 on 7 October, Vedomosti reported, adding that he received birthday greetings from Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, Patriarch Kirill and others. [ 4 ]
The outlets handled the poll differently. RIA Novosti carried only the headline finding, and TASS wrote that the Russian president is perceived by his fellow citizens as a politician of global scale. Kommersant added the share of those who disagreed, while Vedomosti gave the fullest account, including the further figures and the congratulatory messages. None of the documents reported the sample size, methodology or margin of error of the survey. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The survey, published by the state-linked pollster VCIOM, offers an official reading of domestic approval of the president and is likely to be cited as a measure of public support. It is a snapshot of opinion rather than a policy decision, so its direct effect outside Russia is limited; the outlet types covering it — two state outlets and two business newspapers — suggest the release was treated as a routine domestic news item.
Key facts
- A VCIOM poll found that 80% of Russians consider President Vladimir Putin one of the most influential world leaders. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Kommersant reported that 17% of those polled did not share that view. [ 3 ]
- According to Vedomosti, 71% of respondents said Russia had become stronger and more self-confident during Putin's presidency. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reported that 69% said Moscow is now taken more into account on the world stage because of Putin's course. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reported that 68% of respondents were confident Russia could overcome all difficulties with Putin. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti said the poll was timed to coincide with Putin's birthday. [ 4 ]
- Putin turned 74 on 7 October and was congratulated by a number of foreign leaders and Russian officials, Vedomosti reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The size of the sample, the methodology and the margin of error of the VCIOM poll. None of the documents report these details; only the headline percentage and selected further figures are given.
- The share of respondents who disagreed — 17%. This figure appears in only one document (Kommersant), though it is consistent with the 80% reported elsewhere.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- VCIOM publishes a poll showing 74.2% of Russians trust Putin and 70.1% approve of his work as president, according to Vedomosti. [ 4 ]
- Putin turns 74. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes its report on the VCIOM poll. [ 1 ]
- TASS publishes its report on the poll. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant publishes its report, including the 17% who disagree. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti publishes its account with additional poll figures. [ 4 ]