It's very likely Putin's been involved in the murder of political rivals. He invaded and annexed Ukraine. He also helped cover up the downing of Malaysia flight 17. This list is not all-inclusive. He is a "strong-man", which is just a term for a bully who holds office. He, like many Russians, feels insecure about Russia being a second-rate nation and yearns for a time when it had more sway than simply threatening Europe's gas supply.
His views on America mentioned here may be fair but as a person he's a POS.
If you want a better look into Putin there are a number of youtube videos in which he publicly chides lower officials. It's all theater.
I think most Russians resent being threatened by weaker and historically more cowardly people.
Douglas McArthur is considered an icon in this country. He abandonned his troops in the Philippines and ran away, while telling them to fight to the end. Japan's military was second rate, compared to Hitler's war machine. British barely escaped at Dunkirk and somehow paint it as a victory. General Patton wasn't even sure which side he was on, would have lost the Battle of the Bulge, if FDR didn't convince Stalin to start the offensive on the Eastern front earlier.
When Moscow was expected to fall and German tanks were only miles from the city, Stalin stayed in the city and motivated troops.
Putin believes in diplomacy and power of persuasion. He is a wise statesman and does a good job deflecting mudslinging directed at him and his country. Always enjoy listening to him and Lavrov. I wish I could be more optimistic about U.S. Russia relations, unfortunately NATO will always pursue expansion and I just don't see a good ending.
Communist, post-Communist or Czarist, Russia always faced threats and invasions and came out victorious in the end. This has been going on for centuries.