The current problem with Russia, for its neighbors and US interests, is the same as the problem it presented during era of the Tsars and the Communists - its relentless appetite for territorial expansion ever since Dmitry Donskoy threw off the Mongol yoke.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Donskoy
It’s the same problem that China presents to the world. Every single time China has been strong, it has attempted to add to its possessions. This impulse for personal aggrandizement via territorial conquest is unique to neither country - the Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Aztecs, Mayans, British, French, et al all had their moments. The difference with the Chinese and the Russians is that their empires are still standing, and they have a long track record of successfully acquiring and incorporating conquests into their realm. And more importantly - they are still around to throw their weight around.
Agreed.
But there are many big putin fans here so I’m just gonna avoid the topic rather than argue.
Russia has a lot of features disproving the idea that it is an Empire. Her previous expansion was dictated by the security considerations which aren’t actual in the era of WMD. Last time Russia expanded in 1945 - a year nuclear weapons were developed which proves my point.
As for China it is more complicated but generally speaking it is pretty much contained to its area.