Poll: 22 Percent of Americans Have Favorable View of Putin

Twenty-two percent of Americans have a favorable view of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a significant rise from two years ago despite intelligence agencies saying that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Only 13 percent of Americans had a favorable opinion of Putin in 2015 according to a Gallup poll. The number rose nine overall percentage points with help from Republicans, who reported having a more favorable view this time around, from 12 percent to 32 percent Tuesday. Democrats have a slightly less positive view, with only 10 percent viewing Putin as favorable.

Putin's unfavorable rate remained unaffected since 2015 at 72 percent.

Intelligence agencies in December said Russia tampered with the election by providing WikiLeaks with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her campaign chairman John Podesta's emails. Putin was also alleged to meddle with the resignation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

President Donald Trump has been criticized for his comments in early February when he told Fox News that he had respect for Putin. When Bill O'Reilly fired back, calling Putin a killer, Trump responded, "There are a lot of killers. You think our country is so innocent?"

Results for this poll were based on telephone interviews conducted Feb. 1-5, with a random sample of 1,035 adults.

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