Vladimir Putin commands a wide measure of trust among Russia’s citizens, with recent data indicating that about three quarters hold a favorable view of him. A substantial share, around 77 percent, also expresses approval of the president’s activities. These figures come from a survey released by the Foundation for Public Opinion, commonly referred to as the FOM. The results highlight a strong, though not universal, level of public support for the current leadership across the country.
According to the sociology organization, roughly 75 percent of respondents reported trust in the president when asked directly about their confidence in his leadership. In the same survey, about 14 percent said they did not trust him. This split suggests that while a majority maintain faith in the office, a notable minority remains skeptical or critical of the president personally or of his policies.
Similarly, the survey found that 77 percent of those surveyed approved of the president’s activities, while about 11 percent expressed the opposite view. The contrast between trust and approval points to nuanced opinions among the populace: many citizens may approve the actions taken by the administration even if their personal trust in the leader is not absolute, or they may interpret the president’s role in the context of broader political and social expectations.
The FOM omnibus survey, designed to capture a snapshot of public sentiment, was conducted with 1,500 participants across 104 settlements spanning 53 constituent units of the Russian Federation. The fieldwork took place from November 24 to November 26, 2023. The statistical error margin for this survey is estimated at 3.6 percent, which is within the typical range for national polls of this scale. The timing of the survey, in late November, provides a point-in-time view of opinions that may be affected by recent political events, media coverage, and public announcements from the administration.
In a separate poll conducted a week earlier, trust in the president appeared even higher. At that time, 76 percent of Russians indicated trust in Putin, suggesting a slight uptick in public confidence during that period. Such weekly fluctuations are common in public opinion data and often reflect evolving perceptions of political performance, policy outcomes, and the influence of domestic and international developments on the public mood.
Analysts note that the reasons behind the rise in confidence can be multifaceted. They may include perceived stability in governance, economic indicators, national security considerations, and the messaging surrounding election results. When voters are asked about the president and the administration, respondents weigh both leadership qualities and the tangible effects of policy decisions on daily life. It is important to recognize that trust and approval do not always move in lockstep; individuals may differentiate between personal trust in a leader and broad approval of government actions.
For observers outside Russia, these findings contribute to a broader discussion about how citizens perceive leadership and governance in contemporary political systems. Public opinion, as reflected in such surveys, offers a lens into how political narratives are received, how policy actions are judged, and how confidence in institutions evolves over time. The data from this and similar polls can inform debates about legitimacy, governance outcomes, and the political climate within the country.
Historically, shifts in trust and approval are shaped by a combination of domestic policy results, economic conditions, media framing, and geopolitical events. While the latest figures show a majority endorsing the president and his activities, there remains a segment of the population that is either undecided or opposed. Understanding this spectrum is essential for analyzing political dynamics in large, diverse countries where opinions can vary widely across regions and demographic groups. The ongoing dialogue between leadership actions and public response continues to be a central feature of the political landscape in Russia, as it is in many nations worldwide, and it is likely to receive continued attention from pollsters and analysts alike. (FOM)