According to the poll conducted by the American market research company Harris Interactive, U.S. President Barack Obama (82%) and Russian Premier Vladimir Putin (63%) have been recognized the world's most influential politicians.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (62%) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (57%) follow Russian PM. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ranks fifth, AFP reports.

In addition, the respondents were asked of the most popular leader. Obama is atop (77%), followed by Dalai Lama (75%), U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton-third (58%) and Angela Merkel (47%).

The list also includes Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Leader of China Hu Jintao, Lenta.ru informs.

The poll was conducted among 6.000 people in 5 leading Western European countries and the U.S. in March 31-April 12.

L.A.