Forbes ranks Putin as world's most influential person again

For the third consecutive year, Forbes magazine recognizes Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most influential person in the world.

The publication noted that, despite Western sanctions and economic problems, the rating of trust in the president among ordinary citizens has grown to unprecedented levels.

Second and third place was shared between the leaders of Germany and the United States. But this time, Angela Merkel jumped from fifth place to second, pushing Barack Obama to the lower step of the pedestal, TASS reports.