Yes and no. Yes: Putin is not spreading Marxism/Leninism. BUT Russia is still hostile.
What is Russia spreading? Doubt. Doubt in Western values enshrined in our constitutions and creeds. Doubt in the triumph of freedom. Doubt in the rule if law. Doubt in Western Christianity. And doubt in our cultural and democratic institutions.
Doubt in America's sacred electoral system. Doubt in (and resentment of) America's victorious place of leadership over the current global order that history granted us following World War II.
It is vital to understand the nature of our current conflict with them because it is not as clear-cut as during the Cold War. It is vital we see how they view us in light of what has unfolded in the past century and a half, and how they view themselves. David Satter's article reminds us that they do not accept responsibility for any negative past. They do not accept any "ending" less than victory and expect the world to bend to their reality. To them: the Cold War is not over. And they are owed the fruits of victory in World War II, which the West has looted and took credit for. (In their mind.)
We also must understand Russia's approach to their former Soviet or imperial spheres of influence, which include everyone from Syria to North Korea to Cuba -- not just Ukraine or nextdoor neighbors. They have a vested interest not so much in keeping these places communist, but in keeping them anti-American, unstable, and threatening to the West.
Russia operates differently from China and with different motives, which is why they have not made the same economic gains. And which ie why economic pressures alone do not inspire them to adjust or rein in their aggressive behavior.
“What is Russia spreading? Doubt. Doubt in Western values enshrined in our constitutions and creeds. Doubt in the triumph of freedom. Doubt in the rule if law. Doubt in Western Christianity. And doubt in our cultural and democratic institutions.”
“Doubt in America’s sacred electoral system. Doubt in (and resentment of) America’s victorious place of leadership over the current global order that history granted us following World War II.”
Anything Russia can do in that regard is a drop in the ocean compared to what American leftists do every day.
One more thing, as far as Russia’s “aggressive” behavior, who is being more aggressive, America (especially under Democrat administrations) or Russia? Under Clinton we attacked a Russian ally (the country Russia went to war over in WWI), bombed the civilian population into submission, and gave a part of their historical homeland to radical Islamists. That humiliated the friendly Yeltsin and led to Putin. It also destroyed any moral credibility we might have had in complaining about the sanctity of sovereign nations vis-à-vis Ukraine. Then under Obama we attempted to overthrow Syria, where Russia had been allied with the government and had a navy base for 50 years, and then claimed they were “interfering”.
As for Russia’s “aggression” with Ukraine, from the Russian perspective it’s not so clear cut. Crimea had been Russian going back to the 1850s when they fought the great powers of Europe to keep it. It was the USSR under Kruschev who gave it to Ukraine. Moreover, whether the globalists in DC liked it the Ukraine elected a pro-Russian president, and we supported the coup that overthrew him, leading to the “civil war” or “invasion” (take your pick) by Russia. And we complain about Russian “interference in our democracy” from a few internet trolls. Russia may be backing anybody who is anti-American but who is carrying out “aggression” is in the eye of the beholder.
Eh, I’m hesitant to say Putin isn’t spreading Marxism/Leninism. Let’s not forget that he’s also funding Angola, North Korea, and the Sandinistas of Nicaragua with arms and materiel, and he even managed to state on Larry King what Lenin did about believing in the power of people. You can read up more here: https://westernfreepress.com/is-vladimir-putin-a-communist/
But I do agree, Putin is NOT in the best interests of Russia in any way. Restoring the USSR is NOT going to make Russia again. If anything, you’re closer to the mark of restoring Russia’s greatness by restoring the tsars, and also making SURE that beforehand their Christanity is restored fully.