Actually Bush and Cheney have been critisizing Putin every step of the way. From the Ukraine, the Baltics, Georgia, Belorusia...I think you Richard have fallen for it.
"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue.
"I was able to get a sense of his soul.
"He's a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country and I appreciate very much the frank dialogue and that's the beginning of a very constructive relationship,"
George W. Bush, June 16th, 2001.