© Sputnik / Valery Melnikov
The Russian president boasts the highest approval rating among the nation's politicians, while 36.8 percent and 40 percent of Russians approve of the work of the prime minister and the government respectively, according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM).
Sociologists attribute the recent increase in Putin's ratings to his annual address to parliament on February 20, which was focused on social and economic issues in Russia. In his speech, Putin pledged more support to families, including real estate tax breaks for families with many children, as well as increasing benefits for vulnerable groups like elderly people and single parents. Among other issues, Putin called for improved availability of healthcare, especially in rural areas.
The annual address to the Federal Assembly - Russia's main legislative body - is analogous to the US State of the Union address and similar speeches by other heads of state. The president reports to lawmakers and the entire nation on his government's performance and future policy goals.
Comment: Unlike (most) politicians in the West, Putin listens to the concerns of Russians and tends to follow through on his pledges. It's notable that, according to some of the most recent polls, the approval rating of France's Macron limps in at around 30%, and that of Britain's May scrapes by at 33%: