A recent poll conducted by the Centre for Public Opinion Research reveals that French President Emmanuel Macron is the most trusted foreign politician among Czechs, with 52% of respondents expressing trust in him. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ranks second, garnering trust from 44% of Czechs but also facing a significant distrust at 47%. This poll was conducted between January 23 and February 3 among 1,725 participants, indicating a notable insight into the current sentiment towards foreign leaders in the Czech Republic.

The results also highlight a noteworthy level of unfamiliarity with various foreign leaders among the Czech population, with a substantial portion of respondents indicating that they did not know or were unfamiliar with these politicians. For example, 62% of respondents did not recognize Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, and a similar trend was observed with UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The phenomenon of 'don't know' responses being in double digits for most politicians suggests that while some leaders have strong recognition and favorability, many others remain largely unknown to the public.

These findings are significant as they reflect the evolving nature of international trust and recognition among the Czech populace in a time of geopolitical changes. Macron's and Zelenskyy's strong positions may influence how the Czech Republic engages with France and Ukraine, respectively, in matters of diplomacy and bilateral relations. As the situation in Eastern Europe continues to develop, the perceptions of these leaders could play a key role in shaping public opinion and policy in the Czech Republic.