Majority of Russians support Putin: Poll

Press Tv  (Video)

Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:22AM GMT

A recent opinion poll shows that support for Russian President Vladimir Putin has not declined despite economic difficulties and US sanctions against the country.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll suggests that more than 80 percent of the country’s people still support the Russian leader.

In the poll, which was conducted between November 22 and December 7, about 81 percent said they strongly or somewhat approved of Putin’s performance as president.

This shows an increase of more than 20 percentage points since an AP-GFK poll back in 2012.

An opinion poll conducted by the independent Russian pollster Levada Center during the same time period recorded a 74-percent approval rate for the 62-year-old president.

Analysts say Putin is seen by his people as being the savior of the nation.

He is expected to address the country later on Thursday.

This comes as Russia has been hit with sanctions by the US and the European Union (EU), which have been accusing Moscow of playing a role in the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine.

The West accuses Moscow of supporting pro-Russia forces in east Ukraine, saying the alleged Russian intervention poses a security threat to Ukraine and all other neighboring states. Russia has strongly denied the allegations.

Support for Putin remains high despite a gradual fall in the Russian ruble against the US dollar.

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