The leader of Russia once again beat his American counterpart to be crowned Forbes' "most powerful" person, Agence France-Presse reported.

Vladimir Putin, who first ranked first on the magazine's list last year, preserved his spot as "Russia annexed Crimea, stoked a conflict in Ukraine and clinched a multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline deal with China," AFP detailed. Barack Obama came in second; besides trailing Putin, he also lost to Chinese leader Xi Jinping once during his presidency.

"No one would call Vladimir Putin a good guy," Forbes admitted as it framed the contest as a Cold War-style competition. "(But) who's more powerful: the omnipotent head of corroding but still feisty power or the handcuffed head of the most dominant country in the world? For the second year running, our votes went with the Russian president."

Russian broadcaster RT focused on different parts of Forbes' explanation, which noted that "(we) insist the people on our list wield the kind of power that shapes and bends the world, and moves people, markets, armies and minds."

"In 2007, Time Magazine named Putin its 'Man of the Year,' describing him as a 'steely and determined man' who 'emerged as a critical linchpin of the 21st century' and brought Russia back to the world's focus," RT recalled.

This year's Forbes list, meanwhile, consists of 72 leaders the magazine ranked for their "power." Argentine-born Pope Francis, whose humble demeanor and tone have resonated with the more than a billion Catholics worldwide, came in third; German Chancellor Angela Merkel, often considered the most powerful leader in Europe, ranked fourth.

"Among 12 newcomers are Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, number 15; Alibaba founder - and China's richest man Jack Ma, number 30; and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State group, number 54," AFP pointed out. "Nine women made the cut - but for the first time two women - Merkel and US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen - reached the top 10," the agency added.