You can apply that same exact logic to the Russians as well and the Germans for that matter.
It's not a matter of religions or sects...not even color.
When I was stationed in West Germany as a young dummy, I found the Germans to be obstinate, deceitful, untrustworthy, but on the surface they appeared totally normal. (this was in the late 60s..)
The Russians are very much the same. Particularly regarding deceitful.
Funny thing about history is that we discover that the Russians and the Germans have the same ancestral roots.
They are repressed warriors. They see themselves as being essentially screwed out of their legacy. WE, in the US offend them and appear weak and a easy target.
As I said earlier, you don't really get them.
In the post Russian revolution period there were many in the US who supported them and their yearning for a better way. (communism)
During the cold war all this reversed, but now it back with a vengeance..."it's like dejavue....all over again..."(credit to Yogi)
I have to watch this stuff, and it's so frustrating to see it again. Putin has not changed Russia. They simply went from a authoritarian government with a communist party head, to a authoritarian government...without the communist party head. There is no difference and china is in the process of transitioning to the same thing. They just are having difficulties getting rid of the party.
Both countries are natural enemies to the US and the west just as Venezuela was, Cuba, Argentina and a host of other miscellaneous crap holes. But all this considered we have to clap for this guy when he busts a Muslim's chops?
Not me....No way.....
Since I am neither ethnicity I am not going to characterize them.
I will say post war Germany has been the best thing that ever happened to Germany in terms of wealth, peace and prosperity for her people and Europe in general (Euro problems notwithstanding) and under Putin Russia has been the freest and wealthiest it has ever been even under the Czars. That may not be saying much but it is the truth for most of her people. The average Russian under Putin at his most despotic is more free and has more wealth than they did under the Czars which is the last time Russia was prosperous to some degree (even with the current freefall from oil and gas).