Nearly three-fourths of Russians disapprove of Boris Yeltsin's performance as president, but two weeks after quitting, his approval rating finally reached double digits, Interfax said.

One poll was reported as showing that 10 percent of Russians thought Yeltsin had done a good job as president. A month ago, less than five percent backed him.

It showed 73 percent of Russians still disapproved of his tenure, down from 86 percent before he resigned as president on New Year's Eve. Seventeen percent gave no response.

Interfax said the poll was conducted between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 among 1,600 Russians in 90 locations across the country. The poll had a 2.5 percent margin of error.

Yeltsin was once hugely popular, but saw his opinion poll ratings collapse during his two terms in office.

Acting President Vladimir Putin has become Russia's most popular politician since taking over from Yeltsin, largely due to his uncompromising stance on Chechnya.

Meanwhile, Yeltsin last week discussed his plan to set up a foundation during a phone call with Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, the Russian presidential press service said.

Along with the foundation, Yelstin reportedly was considering creating a museum and a center that might house documents from his time as president.

In the call, Yeltsin also thanked Jiang for warmly receiving him during a visit to Beijing in December. Yeltsin and Jiang reaffirmed their hopes that a multipolar world would take shape, the press service said.