Russians and their view of Vladimir Putin
A recent discussion highlighted the level of trust Russians place in Vladimir Putin. A political consultant to the expert council of the Union of Russian Cities and a member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Natural Resources explained that confidence in the president is notably strong among citizens. The consultant noted that a national poll conducted by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, also known as VTsIOM, found that roughly two out of three Russians express trust in the current president. This high level of trust, he suggested, may stem from Putin’s long-standing visibility and the sense that he understands the needs and concerns of everyday people.
The consultant recalled an instance from a year-end review with Putin where a young person asked a question about the lasting impact of Putin’s leadership. The remark reflected a sentiment shaped by decades of governance, hinting at a perception that the president’s influence is enduring. While the young participant did not explicitly voice it, the feeling of continuity and confidence in the leadership was clearly present in the room, according to the analyst.
In the consultant’s view, most Russians connect the nation’s ongoing development to Putin and to the ministers who operate under his guidance. He asserted that there is a broad societal consensus regarding Putin’s role and the path of the country’s growth. This aligns with the perception that the president, together with his team, drives strategic decisions across various sectors and regions.
The analyst emphasized that members of Putin’s initiative group share a patriotic outlook and that Putin’s own voters view him as a symbol of national loyalty. The inference is that Putin and the supporters within his initiative group belong to the same team, united by common goals and a shared sense of purpose. The diversity of the initiative group is noteworthy, spanning different spheres of public life, culture, and other areas of public service. The recent Direct Line event demonstrated Putin’s ability to engage with multiple facets of the country’s life and to offer insights that resonate with a wide audience. Observers believe this breadth of understanding reinforces trust in his leadership.
Specifically, it is recalled that on December 16 a gathering took place in Moscow’s Zaryadye Park. The meeting drew voters who backed Putin as a candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, signaling continued public engagement and mobilization around his campaign. This event is viewed as part of a broader pattern in which supporters assess the balance and readiness of the leadership to address contemporary challenges, from cultural affairs to economic development and environmental stewardship. The overall takeaway is that Putin remains a central and unifying figure in Russian political life, with a broad base of social and political representation confirming his position.