Putin beats Obama in Forbes power list

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in Moscow's Kremlin Oct 30, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been named the most powerful person in the world by Forbes.

According to the US business magazine published Wednesday, Putin moved two places from last year's rating, while US President Barack Obama dropped one place to the second.

"Putin has solidified his control over Russia while Obama's lame duck period has seemingly set in earlier than usual. Anyone watching this year's chess match over Syria and National Security Agency leaks has a clear idea of the shifting individual power dynamics," the magazine said.

According to Alexei Pushkov, head of the International Committee of the State Duma, or lower house of the Russian parliament, the Forbes list reflects the place Russia occupies in world affairs.

"Putin's first place and Obama's second speak about the role of Russia in the changing world," Pushkov said in a message posted on his Twitter account Thursday.

The other top 10 names include Chinese President Xi Jinping (No 3), Pope Francis (No 4), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (No 5), Bill Gates (No 6), US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke (No 7), Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (No 8), European Central Bank President Mario Draghi (No 9) and Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke (No 10).

UK Prime Minister David Cameron (No 11) dropped out of the Top 10 to take the 11th spot on the list.

Forbes first published the list in 2009, based on influence and financial resources.