MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rating does not directly depend on the ruble exchange rate, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
“The ruble exchange rate is a very important sign in terms of comfortable life. But there is no direct dependence,” Peskov said.
“Politicians, who are guided by ratings, are hostage of these ratings. Putin has no ambitions for ratings. It is important for him what he is doing,” he said.
President Putin is perfectly aware of how ordinary Russians live, Peskov said.
“You should not think that the president is out of touch. He knows what’s going on with shop prices. He is staying tuned,” Peskov said explaining that the president was getting information from many sources ranging from special to ordinary ones.
Putin’s press secretary added that experts working in the Kremlin administration reported to the president about publications in the media and the Internet and about what political scientists were saying.
Direct contacts with Russians are another vital channel of information for Putin. "Direct contacts are invaluable. People are writing to him (the president),” Peskov said adding that despite huge amounts, many letters were handed over to President Putin.