If his focus were on raising up Russia, he wouldn't be invading Ukraine and other neighbors. Russia should be among the most developed industrialized countries. Instead its Nigeria with snow (and nukes), mainly because Putin has used massive corruption to increase his dictatorial power.
As I suggested, if you think he's an "imperfect ally" against the DC despotism, you are letting your hatred of the US regime cloud your judgment. Putin would be perfectly happy to have a dictatorship in the US as long as it made concessions to carve Europe up into spheres of influence.