Trump tops Politico's list of most powerful people in Europe in 2026. Zelenskyy also on list

US President Donald Trump has topped Politico's annual ranking of Europe's Most Powerful People 2026. This is the first time that an American leader has been included in the list, which is traditionally compiled by Europeans only.

The list is published on the media outlet's website.

According to the publication, "no one has exerted more influence in or on Europe this year" than Trump. "Trump's shadow looms so large over European capitals that his decisions — or outbursts — have reshaped everything from defense budgets to trade policy to domestic politics," Politico notes.

The list also includes:

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen — "North Star";

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — "Reluctant Radical";

French far-right leader Marie Le Pen — "Warhorse";

kremlin leader vladimir putin — "Provocateur";

British right-wing populist leader Nigel Farage — "Shadow Leader";

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — "Iron Hand";

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte — "Sweet Talker";

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — "Role Model";

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer — "Gray Man";

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — "Headache";

Finnish President Alexander Stubb — "Caddie";

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — "Joker in the Deck";

European Diplomacy Chief Kaja Kallas — "Undiplomat";

French President Emmanuel Macron — "Wounded Rooster";

Polish President Karol Nawrocki — "The Other Pole";

Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) Semen Kryvonos.

About Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the publication notes that this year he faced an "enormous challenge" in fighting corruption in Ukraine and trying to repair relations with the United States after a February dispute. "The Ukrainian president has grown used to playing defense. He will need all his adaptation skills to survive the next chapter," Politico writes.

About vladimir putin, the publication notes that he has "thrown Europe off balance" and proved that he is "the one person nobody on the continent can ignore."

As for NABU head Semen Kryvonos, Politico emphasizes that he faces one of the most difficult tasks in a country at war - fighting an internal enemy.

Last year, the American magazine TIME announced US President Donald Trump as the "Person of the Year 2024."