Public confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin varies considerably across countries, reflecting differences in geopolitical relationships, security concerns and views of Russia’s international role.

A set of figures attributed to a spring 2026 survey by the Pew Research Center lists Sweden and Poland among the countries where respondents expressed the least confidence in Putin. Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and South Korea also appear near the top of the supplied ranking.

The figures reportedly cover 37 countries and measure the share of respondents who lack confidence in Putin to do the right thing regarding world affairs. The results highlight how perceptions of Russia’s leadership differ across regions.

Sweden and Poland Record High Levels of Distrust

According to the supplied figures, Sweden and Poland both recorded 94% lack of confidence in Putin, placing them at the top of the list. Japan followed at 92%, while Australia registered 89%.

The Netherlands, Spain and South Korea each recorded 88%, according to the same data. Israel was listed at 86%, followed by the United States at 85%.

European countries feature prominently in the ranking, although high levels of distrust are also reported in Asia-Pacific and North America. These figures suggest that scepticism toward Putin extends beyond countries geographically close to Russia.

Regional Differences Extend Beyond Europe

The supplied ranking also includes countries across the Americas and Asia. Brazil is listed at 77%, Chile at 70% and Argentina at 67%, while Mexico and Peru are each listed at 57%. Singapore and Thailand appear further down the ranking.

India is described in the supplied summary as having the lowest lack-of-confidence figure, at 17%. This would indicate a substantially different pattern from that reported for several European countries.

However, the percentages in the supplied list should not be treated as independently verified. Pew Research Center’s published 2026 survey confirms that it interviewed 45,658 adults across 37 countries between February 8 and May 13, 2026, and found that a median of 65% lacked confidence in Putin on international affairs. The exact country-level figures should be checked against the original survey tables before publication.

What the Findings Mean

Public opinion surveys provide a snapshot of how people view foreign leaders at a particular time. These responses can be influenced by international conflicts, diplomatic relationships, political beliefs and perceptions of global security.

The results do not necessarily represent the views of every citizen in a country, nor do they directly measure support for or opposition to every aspect of that country’s foreign policy.

The broader findings point to significant international differences in attitudes toward Putin, making cross-country comparisons useful for understanding the political climate surrounding Russia.