Unlike other Western leaders, Macron has kept the doors of communication open and spoken numerousl times to Putin, and travelled to Moscow prior to the war, with an aim to end Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Unfortunately as it pertains to the Macron-Putin relationship those who are sought out for meetings are in stronger positions than those who seek the meetings. Macron initiates most meetings and calls with Putin, but Putin knows not to give anything away. Putin does not actually engage in much dialogue with Macron. Instead, he gains information through Macron’s actions.

Ranking based on Lowest Score = Distrust

Trust in Business

1. Russia
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. U.S.
6. UK

Trust in NGOs

1. Russia
2. Germany
3. Japan
4. U.S.
5. South Korea
6. Netherlands

Trust in Media

1. Full blocking sanctions (including restrictions on transactions and access to U.S.-based property or interests in property) on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and members of Russia’s Security Council, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov; the State Duma (the lower house of Russia’s legislature) and most of its members;

As of 1st May 2022

Alphaberical Listing by Cities

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

1. African Development Bank Group http://www.afdb.org

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

1. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) http://www.irena.org

Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia

1. African Union (AU) https://au.int

Amman, Jordan

Source: 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer

French voters go back to the ballot box on June 12 and 19 to elect lawmakers to the National Assembly. French voters will elect 577 lawmakers from as many districts to sit in the lower-house National Assembly.

After all the shelling and bombing, the decimation and carnage, the final humiliation is that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will in all likelihood be required to assent to a Donbas agreement minimally satisfactory to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Authors: Katherine Lawlor and Mason Clark (Institute for the Study of War)

Source: Small Arms Survey