MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. The level of trust among the Russian public in President Vladimir Putin stands at 78.9%, according to a survey by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM).

The poll, conducted between December 9-15, surveyed 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older.

"When asked directly if they trusted Putin, 78.9% of participants responded affirmatively (an increase of 0.2%), while the approval rating for the president's performance increased by 0.3% to 76%," the service said.

A total of 49.7% expressed approval of how the Russian government is managing the country (a decrease of 0.4%), while 51.9% approved of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s performance (a decrease of 0.7%). The percentage of respondents who said they trust Mishustin was 61.2% (an increase of 0.1%).

Regarding the leaders of parties represented in parliament, 33.4% of those surveyed trust Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) leader Gennady Zyuganov (an increase of 4%), 28.6% trust A Just Russia-For Truth party leader Sergey Mironov (a decrease of 1.7%), 22% trust Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) head Leonid Slutsky (an increase of 1%), and 8.1% trust New People party chairman Alexey Nechayev (a decrease of 1%).

The level of support for the ruling United Russia party stood at 36.7% (an increase of 1.2%). Support for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) increased by 0.4% to 9.7%, while backing for the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) fell by 0.1% to 10.7%. Support for A Just Russia-For Truth party remained at 4.2%, while backing for the New People party decreased by 1.6% to 5.7%.