[GeronL]

free market supporter, thats why he’s taking control of the press and TV? He’s been busy trying to throw businessmen who oppose him into prison, or poison/kill them (like independent journalists).

[JimWayne]

It is a question of degree. He is definitely a strongman on the political front.

[MirrorField]

free market supporter, thats why he’s taking control of the press and TV? He’s been busy trying to throw businessmen who oppose him into prison, or poison/kill them (like independent journalists).

Because press and TV are political weapons and only businessmen he's going after are those that have politically opposed him.

Putin isn't stupid. He lived in soviet communism and all it's idiocies, gaining insight that few westerners can match. He wants Russia to regain the superpower position that USSR, knows it needs a well-functioning economy for that and is simply smart enough to avoid unnecessary meddling.

Business itself doesn't care for freedom. As long as the regulatory environment is stable and predictable enough, property rights are honored and taxes (or bribes) are reasonable, business can prosper even if the country is ruled by a strongman.