You don't get to be head of the KGB by being anything other than an extremely manipulative, cruel and ruthless person. Has the Communist lost his spots? Recent policies in Russia, cracking down on anyone presenting a dissenting view to the government are strongly remininiscent of the way the former regime treated its dissidents, and indicate that he has not.
Of course, any American President has to deal with Russia as an international power. We also need Russian support in our fight against terrorism (and may need its oil if Saudi Arabia is de-stabilized). So I have no criticism of Bush wining and dining Putin.
But "trust" Putin? I think not, folks.