Gennady Myasnikov, businessman from Siberia

I don't think his popularity is falling at all. Putin's rating has been rising because of the war, because we're seemingly winning, although we're not really. We'll only get stuck there... Primakov will stay as popular as ever. Just remember August 17. When Primakov came, everything became settled. He inspires confidence and calm. For two months, there'll be fierce fighting for the Duma and lots of compromat, but his rating won't drop.

Alexander Koksharev, salesman

His rating is indeed falling. He stepped down from the prime minister's post and isn't in the limelight as he once was. When a person is seen every day, people recognize him and always react somehow to what he's doing. Now, he's practically eclipsed in the shadows. Look, Putin is at the top now. But maybe it's done artificially; I don't know.

Lidiya Yevdokimova, pensioner from Irkutsk

Of course it's falling. Personally I've nothing against him. But you can't take his age out of account. He's a good man and everything, but age means a lot. Then he seems indicisive - maybe it also has to do with his age. He was prime minister, but we didn't really see any decisive moves. I heard he's being accused in connection with the murder attempt on Eduard Shevardnadze, but I don't believe that; I can't imagine that. With Putin, it's different. When he was appointed prime minister I was surprised, but then we saw he's very energetic, maybe because of his youth.

Olga Krasnoyarova, doctor from the Urals

Primakov is yesterday's man, I think. He's from the Soviet Union; he's from our history. And then, he's a very old man. Primakov may be an excellent leader, and maybe he's done a lot, but age means a lot here. He has health problems. There should be a man who would be more physically fit. Putin seems to enjoy higher popularity, but he's not the first who had his rating skyrocket and he won't be the first to lose it at the same speed. It's happened before.

Larisa Belenkova, Kremlin guide

I saw a program by Sergei Dorenko on ORT where he accused Primakov of actually orchestrating an attempt on Shevardnadze. To cast blame on him after he did so much for the country following the crisis in August of last year is disgusting. In fact, that program only confirmed my trust and respect for Primakov. His age, of course, might seem a problem - one would like to see a younger person in the presidential seat - but I think that even at his age he's energetic enough. And, then again, in this country there are only a few decent people left, and he is one of them.

Oleg Akayumov, journalist

Primakov's rating is solid enough. Today, though he's not doing much, he has a staunch, sizable electorate that will always vote for him. Whether his popularity will rise or fall depends on concrete actions and not on political games. Now, all remember him as prime minister, a leading politician, a man who once headed the KGB and an experienced international figure. When he enters the Duma and passes laws, he'll become a different Primakov. But he's got no chance of becoming president. Judging from previous experience, Russians won't vote for an aged candidate.