In a sense it can be true - Lincoln centralized power in order to make USA a stronger, united nation. Same thing was done by De Gaulle when he created the Fifth Republic.
The democratic system which emerged in Russia after the breakup of Soviet Union was chaotic and organized in a haphazard way. First few years were filled with spontaneous grass-root activities what was terminated by the Yeltsin massacre of the Parliament at the request of his Western sponsors.
After that the economical reforms were pushed against wishes of the population - the national assetts were distributed among organized crime, corrupt officials and Western "investors". This was proclaimed by the Western corporate media as the triumph of democracy because it enabled Yugoslavia style breakup and looting of Russia.
The NATO war on Serbia followed by Islamic invasion of Dagestan was a wake up call for Russians. Present leadership is RESTORING democracy following more solid and better adjusted strong presidential model similar to the De Gaulle design of the Fifth Republic.
Those who think that more decentralisation/directness is always better for democracy (BTW, in many democratic countries local executives are appointed by the central government, even without approval of local legislature as Putin's plan intends) do not understand the basic principles of republican system.
The ideal according to the radical decentralists would be a DIRECT democracy like in ancient Athens. Such system is possible ONLY in the very small society, (even in Athens only a minority of the men was allowed or able to vote on all issues). In a large country the large degree of delegated representation and centralisation is being forced by the necessities of political life. In multiethnic countries with local conflicts the strong central government is a must.
You can have centralised government with democracy and rule of law on one hand, and you can have corrupt local governments with local bullies and not much freedom.
Russia has to find her own way - foreign "friends" and advisors will follow foreign interests only as they did during "privatization" after Yeltsin "democratic" massacre of Duma.
And following in the foorsteps of Italy, who also chose strong centralization and appointment of regional leaders to fight corruption and mafia.
I'll take republican order over democratic mob rule every time.