VCIOM poll says 80% of Russians see Putin as one of world’s most influential leaders

The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) said 80% of respondents consider Vladimir Putin one of the world’s most influential leaders.

Seven in ten participants said Russia had become stronger and more self-confident during Putin’s presidency. Another 69% said Moscow is taken more seriously because of his policies. About a quarter disagreed.

Sixty-eight percent said they believe Russia has a happy future under the current president. VCIOM separately described respondents’ views of the country’s future as especially telling. The poll was conducted by telephone in Russia on October 6, using a random sample of 1,600 people aged 18 and over. Lenta.ru reported the results, citing VCIOM.