I believe Putin does love Russia in his own way—He’s more Czar than Communist. He will use his ham handed policies to do aa he pleases. He plays hard ball and doesn’t mind sheding blood of those he sees as traitors. the social constraints of the USA and the west mean nothing in Russia. He is a leader—and will use his power—for the Glory of an imperial Russia (and himself).
Yeah, like all those political critics and journalists in the Russia media and elsewhere who just "vanished" from sight, or were found poisoned or shot. Is that really a type of leadership to be admired, particularly by people who supposedly believe in free speech?