From the Article. Exactly what I said. Putin was a crony back in the 80's. I doubt he is a believing communist, but I DO think that the brainwashing that IS communism and certain aspects (authoritarianism) still color his thinking today.Agreed.
So does his black-belt training in martial arts.
As does his upbringing in the Russian Orthodoxy. His mother was a devout Christain. Putin attends Mass regularly as well.
He is an interesting hybrid.