Story highlights Edward Lucas: President Trump likes bombast, lives in a state of permanent petulance, and is notable for his historical illiteracy

That gives Vladimir Putin cover to continue with his own version of that noxious cocktail, Lucas argues

Edward Lucas writes for The Economist. The views expressed are his own.

(CNN) Earlier this month, the Pew Research Center released the results of a survey asking the citizens of 38 countries to name a major threat to their nation. This is the third in a special series of op-eds that also appear in Fareed's Global Briefing looking at the top perceived threats among Americans. You can sign up for the Global Briefing newsletter here.

Were it not for Donald Trump, the latest Pew Research findings would make dismal reading for Vladimir Putin. The global median score of those saying they have no confidence in the Russian leader is 60%. The median score for those saying his country abuses civil liberties was 46%.

Edward Lucas

In only three of the 37 countries surveyed did a majority of those polled have a favorable opinion of Russia -- Vietnam (83%), Greece (64%) and the Philippines (55%).

That is a dismal return on nearly 20 years of Kremlin efforts to increase its power and influence. Most of the world is not even scared of Russia -- in most countries, it ranks roughly alongside China as a major threat. In a Pew survey earlier this month , Americans named it the fourth biggest threat, behind ISIS, cyber attacks and climate change. Only in Poland and Jordan do people put Russia in the top three threats facing their country.

The good news for Russia, though, is that for many of those polled in Africa, Asia and Europe, the United States is seen as no better than Russia. In most countries, the man in the Kremlin is more trusted than the American President. In Germany, for example, Putin out-polls Trump by 25% to 11%.

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