He’s a hardline Communist
Hardline communists don’t impose low taxes. Russia has a low flat tax - much lower than our federal tax rates. By definition, that’s not communist. Communism is 100 percent taxation - the state takes everything and then gives back what you “need.” That’s the meaning of communism.
Putin is a KGB man. He was #2 at the KGB. he’s a Communist. His tax rates are irrelevant.
And he is not our friend.